UC-NRLF 


MS    fllS 


CHKSTEU 


LOUD 


THE    GIRL    WITH    THE 
GREEN    EYES 


The  Girl  with  the 
Green  Eyes 

A    PLAY   IN    FOUR    ACTS 

By 
CLYDE     FITCH 

:  >  ,   ;  ';  ,v  ,'  ;  ;  ;  ;  ; 

THE    MACMILLAN    COMPANY 
NEW  YORK         MCMf 

LONDON:     MACMILLAN     &     CO.,     LTD. 

COPYRIGHT,  1905, 
BY  THE  MACMILLAN   COMPANY. 

ALL    RIGHTS    RKSERVHD. 

Set  up  and  electrotyped.      Published  November,  1905. 


All  acting  rights,  both  professional  and  amateur,  are  reserved  by  Clyde 
Fitch.  Performances  forbidden  and  right  of  representation  reserved. 
Application  for  the  right  of  performing  this  piece  must  be  made  to  The 
Macmillan  Company.  Any  piracy  or  infringement  will  be  prosecuted 
in  accordance  with  the  penalties  provided  by  the  United  States  Stat 
utes:  — 

"SEC.  4966. —Any  person  publicly  performing  or  representing  any 
dramatic  or  musical  composition,  for  which  copyright  has  been  obtained, 
without  the  consent  of  the  proprietor  of  the  said  dramatic  or  musical 
composition,  or  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  be  liable  for  damages  therefor, 
such  damages  in  all  cases  to  be  assessed  at  such  sum,  not  less  than  one 
hundred  dollars  for,  thtf  f\rst  arvi  fifty  dollars  for  every  subsequent  per 
formance,  as  to  the  Cojir/  skall  ftpRbaj;  <o  be  just.  If  the  unlawful  per 
formance  and  repres'ejititum  be  y/ilffcl  and  for  profit,  such  person  or 
persons  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  be  im 
prisoned  for  »a  period-  n/if  cxceeil'.r.g  one  year."  -  U.  S.  REVISED 
STATUTES,  TiUe  fco/  Ckafc,  '-3.; 


XortoootJ  $rrs« 

J.  S.  Cashing  &  Co.  — Berwick  &  Smith  Co. 
Norwood,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


TO 

CLARA    BLOODGOOD 

GOOD   FRIEND  AND   IDEAL  INTERPRETER 
OF  "JINNY" 


M124575 


THE  GIRL  WITH  THE  GREEN  EYES 


ACT  I.  THE  TILLMANS'  HOUSE,  NEW  YORK. 

The  Wedding. 

(Two  months  elapse.) 

ACT  II.  THE  VATICAN,  ROME. 

The  Honeymoon. 

(Three  weeks  elapse.) 

ACT  III.  THE  AUSTINS'  HOUSE,  NEW  YORK. 

Home. 

(The  night  passes.) 

ACT  IV.  THE  SAME. 

SCENE  I.  Dawn  of  the  Next  Day. 

SCENE  II.  Early  the  Same  Morning. 


THE  PERSONS  MORE  OR  LESS  CON 
CERNED  IN  THE  PLAY 


" JINNY"  AUSTIN. 

Her  Parents. 


MR.  TILLMAN    } 


MRS.  TILLMAN  ) 

GEOFFREY  TILLMAN.     Her  Brother. 

SUSIE.     Her  Cousin. 

Miss  RUTH  CHESTER 

Miss  GRACE  DANE 

Her  Bridesmaids. 
Miss  BELLE  WESTING 

Miss  GERTRUDE  WOOD 

MAGGIE.     Jlfaid  at  the  Tillmans1. 

HOUSEMAID.     At  the  Tillmans1. 

BUTLER.     At  the  Tillmans1. 

FOOTMAN.     At  the  Tillmans' . 

JOHN  AUSTIN. 

MRS.  CULLINGIIAM. 

PETER  CULLINGIIAM.     Her  Son. 

MRS.  LOPP. 

CARRIE.     Her  Daughter. 

A  FRENCH  COUPLE. 

A  GERMAN  COUPLE. 

A  GUIDE. 

A  DRIVER. 

A  GROUP  OF  TOURISTS. 


Originally  produced  under  the  management  of 
Charles  Frohman  at  the  Savoy  Theatre,  New 
York,  on  the  25th  of  December,  1902,  with  the 
following  cast :  — 

"  Jinny  "  Austin Miss  Clara  Bloodgood 

Mr.  Tillman Mr.  Charles  Abbott 

Mrs.  Tillman Mrs.  Harriet  Otis  Dellenbaugh 

Geoffrey  Tillman Mr.  John  M.  Albaugh,  Jr. 

Susie Miss  Edith  Taliaferro 

Miss  Ruth  Chester Miss  Lucille  Flaven 

Miss  Grace  Dane Miss  Mary  Blyth 

Miss  Belle  Westing Miss  Helena  Otis 

Miss  Gertrude  Wood Miss  Felice  Morris 

Maggie Miss  Lucile  Watson 

Housemaid Miss  Angela  Keir 

Butler Mr.  Gardner  Jenkins 

Foutman Mr.  Walter  Dickinson 

John  Austin Mr.  Robert  Drouet 

Mrs.  Cullingham Mrs.  McKee  Rankin 

Peter  Cullingham Mr.  Harry  E.  Asmus 

Mrs.  Lopp Miss  Ellen  Rowland 

Carrie  .          Miss  Clara  B.  Hunter 


<  Mr.  Henry  De  Barry 
1  Mis 


A  French  Couple j  ^ 

<  Mr.  J.  R.  Cooley 
A  German  Couple 1  Miss  Elsa  Ganett 

A  Guide Mr.  Frank  Brownlee 

A  Driver Mr.  Lou  W.  Carter 

{Miss  Elizabeth  French 
Miss  Gertrude  Bindley 
Miss  Myrtle  Lane 
II 


ACT  I 

A  charming  room  in  the  Tillmans1  house.  The 
walls  are  white  woodwork,  framing  in  old  tapes 
tries  of  deep  foliage  design,  with  here  and  there 
a  faming  flamingo;  white  furniture  with  old, 
green  brocade  cushions.  The  room  is  in  the 

o 

purest  Louis  XVI.  The  noon  sunlight  streams 
through  a  window  on  the  left.  On  the  oppo 
site  side  is  a  door  to  the  hall.  At  back  double 
doors  open  into  a  corridor  which  leads  to  the 
ballroom.  At  left  centre  are  double  doors  to  the 
front  hall.  A  great,  luxurious  sofa  is  at 
the  left,  with  chairs  sociably  near  it,  and  on 
the  other  side  of  the  room  a  table  has  chairs 
13 


14  .  THE  GIRL    WITH   THE  GREEN  EYES 

grouped   about   it.     On  floral   small    table    are 

books   and   objets   d'art,  and    everywhere    there 

is  a  profusion  oj  white  roses  and   maidenhair 
jem. 

In  the  stage  directions  Le/t  and  Right  mean  Left 
and  Right  of  actor,  as  he  faces  audience. 

Three  smart-looking  SERVANTS  arc  peering 
through  the  crack  of  the  folding  door,  their  backs 
to  the  audience.  The  pretty,  slender  MAID  is  on 
a  chair.  The  elderly  BUTLER  digniftedly  stands 
on  the  floor.  The  plump,  overfed  little  HOUSE 
MAID  is  kneeling  so  as  to  see  beneath  the  head  of 
the  BUTLER. 

HOUSEMAID.  [Gasping.]  Oh,  ain't  it  a  beautiful 
sight ! 

BUTLER.  [Pompously.]  Not  to  me  who  'ave 
seen  a  Lord  married  in  Hengland. 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES     15 

MAGGIE.  Oh,  you  make  me  sick,  Mr.  Potts, 
always  talking  of  your  English  Aristocracy  !  I'm 
sure  there  never  was  no  prettier  wedding  than  this. 
Nor  as  pretty  a  bride  as  Miss  Jinny. 

BUTLER.    [Correcting  her.]   Mrs.  Haustin! 

HOUSEMAID.  She  looks  for  all  the  world  like 
one  of  them  frosted  angels  on  a  Christmas  card. 
My,  I  wish  I  could  'a'  seen  her  go  up  the  aisle 
with  the  organ  going  for  all  it  was  worth ! 

MAGGIE.   It  was  a  beautiful  sight! 

BUTLER.  A  good  many  'appens  to  be  'aving 
the  sense  to  be  going  now. 

HOUSEMAID.  Could  you  hear  Miss  Jinny  say 
"I  do,"  and  make  them  other  remarks? 

MAGGIE.   Yes,    plain,    though    her    voice    was 

trembly  like.     But  Mr.  Austin  he  almost  shouted ! 

[Laughing  nervously  in  excitement. 

BUTLER.    'E's  glad  to  get  'er! 


1 6      THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

MAGGIE.   And  her  him! 

HOUSEMAID.  Yes,  that's  what  I  likes  about  it. 
Did  any  one  cry? 

MAGGIE.  Mrs.  Tillman.  Lots  of  people  are 
going  now. 

HOUSEMAID.  What  elegant  clothes  !  Oh, 
gosh ! 

BUTLER.  [Superciliously.}  Mrs.  Cullingham 
don't  seem  in  no  'urry ;  she's  a  common  lot ! 

MAGGIE.  I  don't  care,  she's  rich  and  Miss  Jinny 
likes  her;  she  just  throws  money  around  to  any 
poor  person  or  church  or  hospital  that  wants  it,  or 
don't!  So  she  can't  be  so  very  common  neither, 
Mr.  Potts! 

HOUSEMAID.  Say,  I  catch  on  to  something! 
Young  Mr.  Tillman's  sweet  on  that  there  tall 
bridesmaid. 

MAGGIE.   [Sharply.]  Who? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES      17 

BUTLER.  Miss  Chester.  I've  seen  there  was 
something  goin'  hon  between  them  whenever 
she's  dined  or  lunched  'ere. 

MAGGIE.    [Angry.]   'Tain't  true ! 

BUTLER.   I'll  bet  my  month's  wages. 

MAGGIE.   I  don't  believe  you! 

BUTLER.    Why,  what's  it  to  you,  please? 

MAGGIE.    [Saving  herself.]   Nothing  — 

HOUSEMAID.  Well,  I  guess  it's  truth  enough. 
That's  the  second  time  I've  seen  him  squeeze  her 
hand  when  no  one  wasn't  lookin'. 

MAGGIE.  Here,  change  places  with  me !  [Getting 
down  from  her  chair.]  If  you  was  a  gentleman,  Mr. 
Potts,  you'd  have  given  me  your  place! 

[Witheringly. 

BUTLER.  If  I  was  a  gentleman,  miss,  I  wouldn't 
be  here ;  I'd  be  on  the  other  side  of  the  door. 

[He  moves  the  chairs  away, 
c 


1 8      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

MAGGIE.  [To  Housemaid.]  Honest,  you  saw 
something  between  them  ? 

HOUSEMAID.   Who? 

MAGGIE.  Him  and  her?  Mr.  Geoffrey  and 
Miss  Chester  — 

HOUSEMAID.  Cheese  it!  they're  coming  this 
way! 

[She  and  the  MAID  and  the  BUTLER  vanish 
through  the  door  Right. 

[GEOFFREY  and  RUTH  enter  through  the  double 
doors  quickly  at  back.  GEOFFREY  is  a  young, 
good-looking  man,  but  with  a  weak  face.  He 
is  oj  course  very  smartly  dressed.  RUTH  is  a 
very  serenely  beautiful  girl,  rather  noble  in 
type,  but  unconscious  and  unpretending  in 
manner.  They  close  the  doors  quickly  behind 
them. 

GEOFFREY.    We'll  not  be  interrupted  here,  and 


THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     19 

I  must  have  a  few  words  with  you  before 
you  go. 

[He  follows  her  to  the  sofa  where  she  sits,  and 
leans  over  it,  with  his  arm  about  her  shoulder. 

RUTH.  Oh,  Geof,  —  Geof,  why  weren't  we 
married  like  this? 

GEOFFREY.   It   couldn't   be   helped,   darling! 

RUTH.  It  isn't  the  big  wedding  I  miss,  oh,  no, 
it's  only  it  seemed  sweeter  in  a  church.  Why 
did  we  have  to  steal  off  to  Brooklyn,  to  that  poor, 
strange  little  preacher  in  his  stuffy  back  parlour, 
and  behave  as  if  we  were  doing  something  of  which 
we  were  ashamed? 

GEOFFREY.  You  love  me,  I  love  you,  — 
isn't  that  the  chief  thing,  dearest? 

RUTH.  But  how  much  longer  must  we  keep 
it  secret? 

GEOFFREY.   Till   I    can   straighten   my   affairs 


20      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

out.  I  can't  explain  it  all  to  you  ;  there  are  ter 
rible  debts,  —  one  more  than  all  the  others,  —  a 
debt  I  made  when  I  was  in  college. 

RUTH.  If  I  could  only  help  you!  I  have  a 
little  money. 

GEOFFREY.  No,  I  love  you  too  much ;  besides, 
this  debt  isn't  motley,  and  I  hope  to  get  rid  of  it 
somehow  before  long. 

RUTH.  Forgive  me  for  worrying  you.  It  is 
only  that  every  one  is  so  happy  at  this  wedding 
except  me,  —  dear  Jinny  brimming  over  with  joy, 
as  I  would  be,  —  and  it's  made  me  feel  —  a 
little  - 

GEOFFREY.  [Comes  around  the  sofa  and  sits 
beside  her.]  I  know,  dear,  and  it's  made  me  feel 
what  a  brute  I  am !  Oh,  if  you  knew  how  I  hate 
myself  for  all  I've  done,  and  for  the  pain  and 
trouble  I  cause  you  now! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     21 

[MAGGIE,  her  sharp  features  set  tense,  appears 
in  the  doorway  on  the  left  behind  the  curtains 
and  listens. 

RUTH.  Never  mind,  we  won't  think  of  that 
any  more. 

GEOFFREY.  I  can  never  throw  it  off,  not  for 
a  minute !  I'm  a  worthless  fellow  and  how  can 
you  love  me  — 

RUTH.  [Interrupting  him.]  I  do!  You  are 
worth  everything  to  me,  and  you  will  be  worth 
much  to  the  world  yet! 

GEOFFREY.  I  love  you,  Ruth  —  that's  the  one 
claim  I  can  make  to  deserve  you.  But  it's  helped 
me  to  give  up  all  the  beastly  pleasures  I  used  to 
indulge  in! 

RUTH.   [Softly.]   Geof! 

GEOFFREY.  Which  I  used  to  think  the  only 
things  worth  living  for,  and  which  now,  thanks 
to  you,  I  loathe,  —  every  one  of  them. 


22      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

RUTH.  I'm  so  glad !  I've  been  some  help, 
then. 

GEOFFREY.  If  I'd  only  got  you  earlier,  I'd 
have  been  a  different  man,  Ruth ! 

RUTH.  [Smiling  and  taking  his  nervous  hand 
in  hers.]  Then  I  mightn't  have  fallen  in  love  with 
you  if  you  were  a  different  man ! 

GEOFFREY.  Dear  girl!  Anyway,  this  is  the 
good  news  that  I  want  to  tell  you  —  I  hope  now 
to  have  things  settled  in  a  couple  of  weeks. 

RUTH.    [In  glad  relief.]    Geoffrey ! 

GEOFFREY.  But  —  I  mayn't  be  successful;  it 
might  be,  Ruth  —  it  might  be,  we  would  have  to 
wait  —  for  years  — 

RUTH.  [Quietly.]  I  don't  think  I  could  bear 
that !  It's  not  easy  for  me  to  lie  and  deceive 
as  I've  had  to  the  last  few  months;  I  don't  think 
I  could  keep  it  up. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     23 

[PETER    CULLINGHAM    enters    suddenly,    from 
the  ballroom,  a  pale  young  man,  but,  unlike 
GEOFFREY,  hard  and  virile. 
PETER.    Oh,  here  you  are !    I  say,  are  you  two 
spoony?     Just     the     way    /     feel!     [Laughing.] 
I  caught  and  hugged  old  Mrs.  Parmby  just  now ! 
I  think  it's  sort  of  in  the  air  at  weddings,  don't 
you? 

GEOFFREY.     [Rising.]    I'm    surprised    to    see 
you've  left  the  refreshment  table,  Peter. 

PETER.   They  sent  me  to  find  Miss  Chester  — 
they're  going  to  cut  the  bridesmaid's  cake,  and 
if  you  two  really  are  spoony,  Miss  Chester,  you'd 
better  not  miss  it — you  might  get  the  ring! 
[They  laugh  as  PETER  takes  out  a  bottle  from 
which  he  takes  a  round,  black  tablet  which 
he  puts  in  his  mouth. 
RUTH.    [Also  rising.]  I'd  better  go. 


24      THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

[PETER  is  making  frantic  efforts  to  swallow  the 

tablet. 

GEOFFREY.   [Noticing  him.]  What's  the  matter 
with  you? 

PETER.    O   dear!    I've  eaten  so  many  ices  and 
fancy  cakes,  I've  got  awful  indigestion,  and  I'm 
trying  to  swallow  a  charcoal  tablet. 
RUTH.   Come  with  me  and  get  a  glass  of  water. 
PETER.   No,  it's  very  bad  to  drink  water  with 
your  meals;   but  I'll  get  a  piece  of  bridesmaid's 
cake  —  that'll  push  it  down  ! 
[PETER  and  RUTH  go  out  through  the  double  doors. 
[The  moment  they  are  out  oj  the  room,  MAGGIE 
comes  from  behind  the  curtain  and  goes  straight 
up  to  GEOFFREY.    He  looks  astonished  and 
frightened. 

GEOFFREY.   What   do   you   want?    Have   you 
been  listening? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES     2$ 

MAGGIE.  So  that's  it,  is  it  ?  You  want  to  marry 
her  when  you  can  get  rid  of  me. 

GEOFFREY.   [With  relief.]   What  do  you  mean? 

MAGGIE.  Oh,  I  may  not  have  heard  everything, 
but  I  heard  and  saw  enough  to  catch  on  that 
you're  in  love  with  Miss  Chester. 

GEOFFREY.   Well  ? 

MAGGIE.  Well,  you  won't  marry  her  —  I'll 
never  set  you  free. 

GEOFFREY.   Sh ! 

[Looking  about  and  closing  the  doors. 

MAGGIE.   Oh,  they're  all  in  the  dining  room. 

GEOFFREY.  [Angry.}  What  do  you  want,  any 
way? 

MAGGIE.  [She  pleads  a  little.]  When  I  came 
here  to  your  house  and  got  a  position,  it  was 
because  I  loved  you,  if  you  had  treated  me  bad, 
and  I  hoped  by  seeing  you  again,  and  being  near 


26      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

you,  you  might  come  back  to  me  and  everything 
be  made  straight! 

GEOFFREY.   Never!     Never!     It's    impossible. 

MAGGIE.  [Angry  again.}  Oh,  is  it!  Well,  the 
dirty  little  money  you  give  me  now  only  holds 
my  tongue  quiet  so  long's  you  behave  yourself 
and  don't  run  after  any  other  girls !  But  the 
minute  you  try  to  throw  me  down,  I'll  come  out 
with  the  whole  story. 

GEOFFREY.   I  was  drunk  when  I  married  you! 

MAGGIE.   More  shame  to  you! 

GEOFFREY.  You're  right.  But  I  was  only 
twenty  —  and  you  —  led  me  on  — 

MAGGIE.  [Interrupting  him.]  Me!  led  you  on! 
me,  as  decent  and  nice  a  girl  as  there  was  in 
New  Haven  if  I  do  do  housework,  and  that's 
my  wedding  ring  and  you  put  it  there,  and  mother's 
got  the  certificate  locked  up  good  and  safe  in  her 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES     27 

box  with    my  dead    baby  sister's    hair  and  the 
silver  plate  off  my  father's  coffin! 

GEOFFREY.   We  mustn't  talk  here  any  more ! 

MAGGIE.  You  look  out!  If  I  wasn't  so  fond 
of  your  sister  Miss  Jinny,  and  if  the  old  people 
weren't  so  good  to  me,  I'd  just  show  you  right 
up  here  —  now  I 

GEOFFREY.  I'll  buy  you  off  if  I  can't  divorce  you ! 

MAGGIE.    You  I    Poof ! 

[GIRLS'  voices    are    heard    from    the   ballroom. 

GEOFFREY.    Look   out  —  some  one's   coming ! 

MAGGIE.  [Going.]  You  haven't  got  a  red 
cent;  my  cheque's  always  one  of  your  father's! 

[She  goes  out  Right. 

GEOFFREY.  Good  God!  what  am  I  going  to 
do  —  shoot  myself,  if  I  don't  get  out  of  this  soon  — 
I  must  get  some  air! 

[He  goes  out  Left. 


28      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

[JiNNY  opens  the  double  doors,  looks  in,  and 
then  enters.  She  is  an  adorable  little  human 
being,  pretty,  high-strung,  temperamental,  full 
oj  certain  feminine  fascination  that  defies  analy 
sis,  which  is  partly  due  to  the  few  faults 
she  possesses.  She  is,  of  course,  dressed  in 
the  conventional  wedding-dress,  a  tulle  veil 
thrown  over  her  face. 

JINNY.   Not  a  soul!     Come  on! 

[She  is  followed  in  by  the  jour  BRIDESMAIDS  — 
nice  girls  every  one  oj  them  —  and  also,  very 
slyly,  by  SUSIE,  a  very  modern  spoiled  child, 
who  sits  unobserved  out  oj  the  way  at  the 
back. 

Now,  my  dears,  I  wish  to  say  good-by  all  by 
ourselves  so  I  can  make  you  a  little  speech! 
[All  laugh  gently.]  In  the  first  place  I  want  to 
tell  you  that  there's  nothing  like  marriage !  And 


THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      29 

you  must  every  one  of  you  try  it  1    Really,  I  was 
never  so  happy  in  my  life! 

GRACE.  Must  we  stand,  or  may  we  sit 
down? 

JINNY.  Oh,  stand;  it  won't  be  long  and  you'll 
only  crush  your  lovely  frocks.  In  fact,  I  advise 
you  not  to  lose  any  time  sitting  down  again  until 
you've  got  the  happy  day  fixed! 

RUTH.   You  know,  Jinny  darling,  that  there  is 
no  one  so  glad  for  your  happiness  as  your  four 
bridesmaids  are  —  isn't  that  so,  girls  ? 
ALL.   Yes! 

[And  they  all  together  embrace  JINNY,  saying, 
"Dear  old  Jinny,"  "Darling  Jinny,"  "We'll 
miss  you  dreadfully,"  etc.,  ad  lib.,  till  they 
get  tearful. 

JINNY.   Good  gracious,  girls,  we  mustn't  cry. 
I'll  get  red  eyes,  and  Jack'll  think  what  an  awful 


30      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

difference  just  the  marriage  service  makes  in  a 
woman. 
[The  doors  at  the  back  open,  and  AUSTIN  appears 

in  the  doorway. 

[AUSTIN  is  a  typical  New  Yorker  in  appearance, 
thirty-two  years  old,  good-looking,  manly,  self- 
poised,  and  somewhat  phlegmatic  in  tempera 
ment. 

AUSTIN.    Hello !     May  a  mere  man  come  in  to 
this  delectable  tea  party? 

JINNY.    No,   Jack!     But    wait—  by  the    door 
till  I  call  you! 
AUSTIN.    [Amused.]   Thank  you! 

[He  goes  out,  closing  the  door. 

GERTRUDE.   We'll  miss  you  so  awfully,  Jinny. 

JINNY.    Just  what  I  say!     Get  a  man  to  keep 

you    company,    and    then    you    won't    miss   any 

one. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      31 

BELLE.  Yes,  but  attractive  men  with  lots  of 
money  don't  come  into  the  Grand  Central  Station 
by  every  train ! 

JINNY.  [Putting  her  arm  about  her.]  You  want 
too  much,  my  dear  Belle !  And  you  aren't  watch 
ing  the  Grand  Central  Station  either  half  so  much 
as  you  are  the  steamer  docks  for  a  suitable  person. 
Now  don't  be  angry;  you  know  you  want  a  good 
big  title,  and  you've  got  the  money  to  pay,  but, 
my  dear  Belle,  it's  those  ideas  of  yours  that  have 
kept  you  single  till  —  twenty-six !  —  now  that 
you  must  confess  was  nice  of  me,  to  take  off 
three  years! 

BELLE.    [Laughing.}      Jinny,   you're   horrid! 

JINNY.  No,  I'm  not!  You  know  I'm  really 
fond  of  you,  or  you  wouldn't  be  my  bridesmaid 
to-day ;  it's  only  that  I  want  your  wedding  to  be  as 
happy  as  mine  —  that's  all,  and  here's  a  little  gift 


32      THE    GIRL   WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

for  you  to  remember  your  disagreeable  but  loving 
friend  by !  [Giving  her  a  small  jewelry  box. 

BELLE.   Thank  you,  Jinny!    Thank  you! 

[A  little  moved. 

GRACE.  Mercy!  I  hope  you're  not  going  to 
take  each  one  of  us! 

JINNY.   I  am,  and  come  here,  you're  next! 

GRACE.  I'll  swear  I  don't  want  to  get  married 
at  all ! 

JINNY.  Don't  be  silly,  you  icicle!  Of  course 
you  don't;  you  freeze  all  the  men  away,  so  that 
you've  no  idea  how  nice  and  comfy  they  can  be ! 
My  advice  to  you,  Grace  darling,  —  and  I  love 
you,  or  I  wouldn't  bother,  —  is  to  thaw!  [Laughs.] 
I  used  to  be  awfully  jealous  of  you  — 

GRACE.   [Interrupting.]   Oh! 

JINNY.  Yes,  I  was!  You're  lots  prettier  than 
I  am. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     33 

GRACE.    Jinny ! 

JINNY.  You  are!  But  I  got  over  it  because  I 
soon  saw  you  were  so  cold,  there  was  no  danger 
of  any  conflagration  near  you !  Oh,  I've  watched 
your  eyes  often  to  see  if  any  man  had  lighted  the 
fires  in  them  yet.  And  now  I'm  determined  they 
shall  be  lighted.  You're  too  cold!  Thaw,  dear, 
—  not  to  everybody,  —  that  would  be  like  slushy 
weather,  but  don't  keep  yourself  so  continually 
so  far  below  zero  that  you  won't  have  time  to 
strike  —  well  —  say  eighty-five  in  the  shade, 
when  the  right  bit  of  masculine  sunshine  does 
come  along !  Here  —  with  my  best  love ! 

[Giving  her  a  small  jewelry  box. 
[GRACE  kisses  JINNY. 

GERTRUDE.   I  am  the  next  victim,  I  believe! 

JINNY.   All  I've  got  to  say  to  you,  Miss;  is, 
that  if  you  don't  decide  pretty  soon  on  one  of  the 
D 


:4      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

half  dozen  men  you  are  flirting  with  disgracefully 
at  present,  they'll  every  one  find  you  out  and 
you'll  have  to  go  in  for  widowers. 

GERTRUDE.    [Mockingly.]   Horrors! 

JINNY.  Oh,  I  don't  know !  I  suppose  a  widower 
is  sort  of  broken  in  and  would  be  more  likely  to 
put  up  with  your  caprices !  For  the  sake  of  your 
charm  and  wit  and  true  heart  underneath  it  all, 
you  dear  old  girl  you! 

[Giving  her  a  small  jewel  box. 

GERTRUDE.   Thank     you,     Jinny.     I'm     only 
afraid  I  will  do  the  wrong  thing  with  you  away! 
You  know  you're  always  my  ballast ! 

JINNY.  Nonsense !  Female  ballast  is  no  good ; 
masculine  ballast  is  the  only  kind  that's  safe  if 
you  want  to  make  life's  journey  in  a  love  balloon. 
[SHE  turns  to  RUTH  CHESTER.]  Ruth  —  the 
trouble  -with  you  is,  you're  too  sad  lately,  and 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     35 

show  such  a  lack  of  interest.  I  should  think  you 
might  be  in  love,  only  I  haven't  been  able  to  find 
the  man.  Anyway,  if  you  aren't  in  love,  you 
must  pretend  an  interest  in  things.  Of  course, 
men's  affairs  are  awfully  dull,  but  they  don't 
like  you  to  talk  about  them,  so  it's  really  very 
easy.  All  you  have  to  do  is  listen,  stare  them 
straight  in  the  eyes,  think  of  whatever  you  like, 
and  look  pleased!  It  does  flatter  them,  and  they 
think  they  are  interesting,  and  you  charming  I 
Wear  this,  and  think  of  me !  [Giving  her  a  box.] 
and  be  happy!  I  want  you  to  be  happy  —  and 
I  can  see  you  aren't! 

RUTH.   [Kissing  her.]   Thank  you,  dear! 

JINNY.  There,  that's  all !  —  except  —  when  I 
come  home  from  abroad  in  October,  if  every  one 
of  you  aren't  engaged  to  be  married,  I'll  wash  my 
hands  of  you  —  [They  all  laugh. 


36      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

[SusiE,  sliding  off  her  chair  at  back,  comes 
jorduard. 

SUSIE.  Now,  it's  my  turn!  You  can't  chuck 
me! 

JINNY.  [Trying  not  to  laugh.}  Susie!  where 
did  you  come  from  and  what  do  you  mean? 

SUSIE.  Oh,  you  give  me  a  pain !  —  I  went  up 
the  aisle  with  you  to-day,  too  —  what's  the  matter 
with  telling  me  how  to  get  married  t 

JINNY.  I'll  tell  you  this,  your  language  is 
dreadful;  where  do  you  get  all  the  boy's  slang? 
You  don't  talk  like  a  lady. 

SUSIE.   I'm  not  a  lady.     I'm  a  little  girl! 

JINNY.  You  talk  much  more  like  a  common 
boy. 

SUSIE.   Well,  I'd  rather  be  a  boy! 

JINNY.  Susie,  I  shall  tell  Aunt  Laura  her 
daughter  needs  looking  after. 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES      37 

SUSIE.  Oh,  very  well,  cousin  Jinny.  If  you're 
going  to  make  trouble,  why,  forget  it! 

[Turns  and  goes  out  haughtily,  Right. 

JINNY.  [Going  to  the  double  doors,  calls.] 
Now  you  can  come  in,  Jack. 

[AUSTIN  enters. 

AUSTIN.  And  now  I've  only  time  to  say  good- 
by.  All  your  guests  have  gone  except  the  Cul- 
linghams,  who  are  upstairs  with  your  mother, 
looking  at  the  presents. 

GERTRUDE.    Come!    All  hands  around  him! 

[The  five  GIRLS   join  hands,  with  AUSTIN  in 
the  centre. 

BELLE.  We  don't  care  if  every  one  else  has 
gone  or  not,  we're  here  yet! 

AUSTIN.  So  I  see!  But  I  am  ordered  by  my 
father-in-law  —  ahem !  [all  laugh]  —  to  go  to 
my  room,  or  he  thinks  there  will  be  danger  of 
our  losing  our  train. 


38      THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

ALL  THE  BRIDESMAIDS.  [Ad  lib.]  Where  are 
you  going?  Where  are  you  going?  We  won't 
let  you  out  till  you  tell  us. 

AUSTIN.   I  daren't  — I'm  afraid  of  my  wife! 

JINNY.   Bravo,  Jack! 

GRACE.  Very  well,  then,  we'll  let  you  out,  on 
one  condition,  that  you  kiss  us  all  in  turn. 

[The  GIRLS  laugh. 

JINNY.  No!  No!  [Breaking  away.]  He  shan't 
do  any  such  thing! 

[They  all  laugh  and  break  up  the  ring. 

GERTRUDE.    Dear  me,  isn't  she  jealous! 

BELLE.  Yes,  it  is  evidently  time  we  all  went! 
Good-by,  Jinny !  [Kissing  her.]  A  happy  jour 
ney  to  Washington! 

JINNY.   No,  it  isn't! 

[General  good-bys.     JINNY   begins   u'ith    RUTH 
at   one   end,  and   AUSTIN   at   the  other;    he 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      39 

says   good-by  and    shakes    hands    with  each 

gM. 

GERTRUDE.    [Kissing    JINNY.]     Good-by,    and 
a  pleasant  trip  to  Niagara  Falls! 
JINNY.    Not  a  bit ! 

GRACE.    [Kissing  JINNY.]    Good-by,   I    believe 
it's  Boston  or  Chicago! 
JINNY.   Neither ! 

RUTH.    Good-by,   dear,  and  all  the  happiness 
in  the  world! 

[Kisses  her. 
JINNY.    Thank  you. 

[She  turns  and  goes  with  the  other  three  girls 
to  the  double  doors  at  back,  where  they  are 
heard  talking. 
RUTH.    Mr.  Austin? 
AUSTIN.   Yes? 

[Joining  her. 


40      THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

RUTH.  [Embarrassed.]  You  like  your  new 
brother,  don't  you? 

AUSTIN.  Geoff  ?  most  certainly  I  do,  and  Jinny 
adores  him. 

RUTH.  I  know,  then,  you'll  be  a  good  friend 
to  him  if  he  needs  one. 

AUSTIN.   Surely  I  will. 

RUTH.   I  think  he  does  need  one. 

AUSTIN.   Really  - 

[The  GIRLS  are  passing  out  through  the  doors. 

BELLE.   Come  along,  Ruth. 

[THEY  pass  out  and  JINNY  stands  in  the  doorway 
talking  to  them  till  they  are  out  of  hearing. 

RUTH.  Sh!  please  don't  tell  any  one,  not  even 
Jinny,  what  I've  said !  I  may  be  betraying 
something  I've  no  right  to  do,  and  don't  tell  him 
I've  spoken  to  you. 

AUSTIN.   All  right! 


THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      41 

[JiNNY  turns  around  in  the  doorway. 
RUTH.   Thank  you  —  and  good-by. 

[Shaking  his  hand  again. 
[JiNNY    notices    that    they  shake    hands   twice. 

A  queer  little  look  comes  into  her  face. 
AUSTIN.    Good-by. 

RUTH.  Have  they  gone  ?  —  Oh !  [Hurrying  past 
JINNY.]  Good-by,  dear . 

[She  goes  out  through  the  double  doors. 

JINNY.   [In  a  curious  little  voice.]  Good-by  .  .  . 

[She  comes  slowly  down  the  room  toward  AUSTIN, 

and  smiles  at  him  quizzically.]    What  were    you 

two  saying? 

AUSTIN.    Good-by ! 

JINNY.  But  you'd  said  it  once  to  her  already! 
Why  did  you  have  to  say  good-by  twice  to  Ruth  ? 
Once  was  enough  for  all  the  other  girls'. 

AUSTIN.    [Banteringly]   The   first   time   /   said 


42       THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

good-by  to    her,  and   the    second  time  she    said 
good-by  to  me! 

JINNY.  Do  you  know  what  I  believe  —  Ruth 
Chester1  s  in  love  with  you! 

AUSTIN.    Oh,  darling! 

[Laughs. 

JINNY.  Yes,  that  explains  the  whole  thing.  No 
wonder  she  was  triste  to-day. 

AUSTIN.  [Laughing.]  Jinny,  sweetheart,  don't 
get  such  an  absurd  notion  into  your  head. 

JINNY.  [Looks  straight  at  him  a  moment,  then 
speaks  tenderly.}  No  —  no  —  I  know  it's  not  your 
fault.  There  was  no  other  woman  in  this  house 
for  you  to-day  but  me,  was  there? 

AUSTIN.  There  was  no  other  woman  in  the 
world  for  me  since  the  first  week  I  knew  you. 

[Taking  her  into  his  arms. 

JINNY.   This  is  good-by  to  Jinny  Tillman! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     43 

[He  kisses  her. 

Jack,  darling,  do  you  think  I  could  sit  on  your 
knee  like  a  little  child  and  put  my  arm  around 
your  neck  and  rest  my  head  on  your  shoulder 
for  just  five  seconds  —  I'm  so  tired! 

[MRS.  CULLINGHAM  opens  the  door. 
MRS.  CULLINGHAM.    Oh! 

[Shuts  the  door  very  quickly  and  knocks. 

[JINNY  and  AUSTIN  laugh. 

JINNY.   Yes,  yes  —  come  in  ! 

[MRS.  CULLINGHAM  enters.     She  is  a  handsome, 

whole-souled,    -florid    woman;     one    of    those 

creatures   of  inexhaustible  vitality  who   make 

people  of  a  nervous  temperament  tired  almost 

on    contact    by    sheer    contrast.     She    is    the 

kindest,  best  meaning  creature  in  the  world. 

MRS.    CULLINGHAM.    Oh,  do  excuse    me!      I 

haven't  any   more  tact !  —  and   I  hate  to  inter- 


44      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

rupt    you,   but    I    must    say    good-by.       [Calls.] 
Peter  ! 

PETER.   Yes'm. 

[Entering  with  a  glass  of  water  and  a  powder. 
He  sits  in  the  arm-chair  at  right,  and  con 
stantly  looks  at  his  watch. 
AUSTIN.   I'm  much  obliged  to  you,  Mrs.  Cul- 
lingham,  for  the  interruption,  as  I  was  sent  long 
ago  to  make  myself  ready  for  the  train,  if  you'll 
excuse  me ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Certainly! 
JINNY.   Good-by ! 

[Taking  his  hand  as  he  passes  her. 
AUSTIN.    Good-by ! 

[He  goes  out  Right. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  If  it's  time  for  him,  it's 
certainly  time  for  you.  I  won't  keep  you  a 
minute ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     45 

JINNY.  No,  really  we've  plenty  of  time,  —  [both 
sit  on  sofa.]  Wasn't  it  a  lovely  wedding! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I  never  saw  a  sweeter,  my 
dear!  And  it  was  perfectly  elegant!  Simply 
great ! 

JINNY.   And  isn't  Jack  — 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  He  is!  And  so  are  you! 
In  fact  I've  been  telling  your  mother  I  don't 
know  how  to  thank  you  both.  You've  asked 
me  to-day  to  meet  the  swellest  crowd  I've  ever 
been  in  where  I  was  invited,  and  didn't  have  to 
buy  tickets,  and  felt  I  had  a  right  to  say  some 
thing  besides  "excuse  me,"  and  "I  beg  your 
pardon."  Of  course,  I've  sat  next  to  them  all 
before  in  restaurants  and  at  concerts,  but  this 
time  I  felt  like  the  real  thing  myself,  and  I  shall 
never  forget  it!  If  you  or  your  husband  ever 
want  any  mining  tips,  come  to  me;  what  my 


46      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

husband   don't   know   about   mines    isn't   worth 
knowing ! 

JINNY.  I'm  as  glad  as  I  can  be  if  you've  had  a 
good  time,  and  you  mustn't  feel  indebted  to  us. 
Ever  since  we  met  in  Egypt  that  winter,  mamma 
and  I  have  always  felt  you  were  one  of  our  best 
friends. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Of  course  you  know  it 
isn't  for  my  own  sake  I'm  doing  these  stunts  to 
get  into  Society.  It's  all  for  my  boy.  He's  got 
to  have  the  best  —  or  the  worst,  however  you  look 
at  it !  [Laughing.]  Anyway,  I  want  him  to  have 
a  chance  at  it,  and  it  belongs  to  him  through  his 
father,  for  my  first  husband  was  a  real  swell ! 

[Looking  at  PETER  lovingly. 
[At  this  moment,   PETER,  having  again  looked 
at  his  watch,  tips  up  the  powder  on  his  tongue, 
and  swallows  it  down  with  the  water. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     47 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Poor  darling!  He  suffers 
terribly  from  indigestion.  That's  an  alkali 
powder  he  takes  twenty  minutes  after  eating. 
Peter,  we  must  say  good-by  now. 

PETER.   [Coming    up.]    Good-by,   Miss   Jinny. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Mrs.  Austin! 

JINNY.  Oh,  I'll  always  be  "Miss  Jinny"  to 
Peter ! 

PETER.  Thank  you!  We've  had  a  great  time 
at  your  wedding!  Bully  food!  But  I'm  feeling 
it !  [He  turns  aside.]  Excuse  me  ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I  was  just  telling  Mrs. 
Austin  — 

[Interrupted. 

JINNY.   " Jinny"  —  don't  change. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Thank  you  —  [Rises  to 
go.]  I  was  just  saying  we  won't  forget  in 
our  social  life,  will  we,  Peter,  that  Miss 


48      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

Jinny  gave  us  the  biggest  boost  up  we've  had 
yet? 

[JiNNY  also  rises. 

PETER.  Well,  you  know,  mother,  I  don't  think 
the  game's  worth  the  candle.  It's  begun  to  pall 
on  me  already. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I  really  think  he's  going 
to  be  superior  to  it ! 

PETER.   I  only  go  now  for  your  sake. 

[MRS.  TILLMAN,  coming  jrom  Right,  speaks  off 
stage. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.    Jinny!     Jinny! 

JINNY.   Mother ! 

[MRS.  TILLMAN  enters. 

JINNY.   I  ought  to  dress? 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [To  MRS.  CULLINGHAM.]  She'll 
be  late  if  she  isn't  careful. 

JINNY.   I'm  going  to.     Is  Maggie  there? 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES     49 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Yes,  waiting! 
JINNY.   Good-by.   [Kisses  MRS.  CULLINGHAM.] 
Good-by.   [Shakes  PETER'S  hand.] 
PETER.   Many  happy  returns  1 

[JiNNY  goes  out  Right. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Come,  I  want  to  give  you  some 
of   Jinny's    flowers    to    take    home    with    you. 
Would  you  like  some? 
MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   I  should  love  them! 

[They  go  out  through  the  doors  at  back. 
[PETER  is  suffering  with  indigestion.    He  takes 
a  charcoal  tablet,  and  SUSIE  cautiously  enters 
Right. 

SUSIE.   There  you  are!    Have  you  got  'em? 
PETER.   No,  I  gave  them  back  to  you. 
SUSIE.   Then  they're  in    there  on  the  table  — 
get  'em  quick,  the  trunks  are  coming  down  now! 
[PETER     goes     out     quickly   at    back,    as    the 

E 


50      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

BUTLER  and  MAN  SERVANT  enter  Right,  car 
rying  a  large  new  trunk  with  a  portmanteau 
on  top  of  it. 

SUSIE.  Put  them  right  over  *here  for  a  minute ! 
[They  put  them  down  in  *he  ccnt.'c  of  the  room, 
and  the  FOOTMAN  goes  out  Right.]  And  mind,  you 
don't  split  on  us,  Thomas.  Auntie  Tillman 
knows  all  about  it  —  it's  just  to  be  a  nice 
little  surprise  for  Cousin  Jinny  and  my  new 
uncle. 

BUTLER.   Very  well,  miss. 

[He  also  goes  out  Right. 

[At  the  same  time  PETER  r centers  at  back  with 
a  roll  of  papers  and  some  broad  white  satin 
ribbon.  The  papers  are  about  half  a  foot 
broad  and  two  feet  long,  and  on  them  is  printed, 
"  We  are  on  our  honeymoon" 
PETER.  [With  gay  excitement.]  I've  got  'em. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     51 

SUSIE.      Get  some  water  —  there's  sticky  stuff 
on  the  back ! 
[PETER  gives  her  the  papers  and  ribbons  and 

goes  out  again  at  back. 

SUSIE.  Quick!  [Ties  a  big  white  bow  on  the 
portmanteau  and  on  a  trunk  handle.]  If  Auntie 
Tillman  sees  'em,  I'll  bet  she'll  grab  'em  off. 
She'll  be  as  mad  as  hops! 

[The  BUTLER  and  FOOTMAN  r center  Right,  and 
bring  down  an  old  steamer  trunk  and  a  gentle 
man's  dressing-bag. 

BUTLER.    [To   the   FOOTMAN.]   Go   and   see   if 
the  carriage  is  there! 
FOOTMAN.   Yes,  sir. 

[He  goes  out  Left. 
[As  PETER  renters   from   the    back,    with    the 

water. 
SUSIE.    Quick  now!     Quick! 


52      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

[They  stick  one  laid  on  the  big  steamer   trunk 

facing  the  audience. 
PETER.   I  say  isn't  that  great! 
[SusiE  giggles  aloud  with  delight.     The  BUTLER, 
standing  at  one  side,  smiles.     They  put  another 
label  on  the  other  trunk. 

SUSIE.  [Giggling.]  I  heard  them  plan  it,  — 
they're  taking  one  old  trunk  purposely  so  as 
people  would  not  catch  on  they  were  just  married ! 

[Giggles  delightedly. 

[The  FOOTMAN  r centers  with  a  driver,  Left. 
FOOTMAN.   Yes,  sir,  it's  here. 
BUTLER.    [To  the  driver.]   You  can   take  that 
first. 

[Pointing  to  the  steamer  trunk. 
[DRIVER  goes  out  Left  with  it  on  his  shoulder, 

and  the  portmanteau. 
BUTLER.   Now,  James,  you're  to  go  over  with 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     53 

the  luggage    to    Twenty-third    Street    Ferry  and 
check  the  heavy  baggage;    you  know  where  to. 

FOOTMAN.   Yes,  sir. 

SUSIE.   [Eagerly.]   Oh,  where  to? 

BUTLER.  I  am  hunder  hoath  not  to  tell, 
Miss. 

SUSIE.   O  pish ! 

[Kneeling  in  the  big  arm-chair  and    watching 
proceedings  from  behind  its  back. 

BUTLER.  [Continues  to  the  FOOTMAN.]  And 
wait  with  the  checks  and  Mr.  Austin's  dressing- 
bag  —  [Showing  it.]  —  until  they  come. 

FOOTMAN.   Yes,  sir. 

PETER.  And  make  haste,  or,  I  say,  somebody'll 
turn  up  and  give  our  whole  joke  away! 

[The  DRIVER  r centers. 

SUSIE.   Yes,  do  hurry! 

FOOTMAN.   [To  the  DRIVER.]   Come  along. 


54      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

[They   take   the   big   trunk   out   Left.     BUTLER 

follows  with  the  dressing-bag. 
MRS.    CULLINGHAM.    [Calls   from   the   room    at 
back.]   Peter  darling,  are  you  there? 
SUSIE.    Phew!     Just  in  time! 
[Sliding  down  into  a  more  correct  position  in 

the  chair. 
PETER.   Yes,  mother! 

[Going  to  back. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  [In  the  doorway,  at  back.] 
Come,  take  these  beautiful  roses  from  Mrs.  Till- 
man ! 

[MRS.  CULLINGHAM  and  MRS.  TILLMAN  enter. 
MRS.  TILLMAN.    [With  her  arms  full  of  roses.] 
Thomas  will  take  them  down. 

PETER.    No,  I'd    like    to.     Aren't    they   bully? 

[He  takes  them. 
MRS.     CULLINGHAM.    [To     MRS.    TILLMAN.] 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      55 

Good-by,   and    thank   you   again.      I   know   you 
must    want    to    go    up    to    Jinny. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Yes,  she  may  need  me  to  help 
her  a  little.     Good-by.     Good-by,  Peten 
PETER.    Good-by,  rna'm. 

[MRS.  TILLMAN  goes  out  Right. 
MRS.  CULLINGHAM.    Why,  Susie,  how  do  you  do  ? 
SUSIE.    [Glides  out  of  the  chair  and  stands  be 
fore  it.]   How  do  you  do? 

[Embarrassed. 

MRS.   CULLINGHAM.   You're  a  good  little  girl, 
I  hope? 

SUSIE.   I  don't!     I  hate  good  little  girls! 
MRS.  CULLINGHAM.    O  my! 

[She  goes  out,  laughing,  Left. 

[PETER,   coming  to   SUSIE,   catches   her  in  his 

arms  and  kisses  her,  much  against  her  will. 

SUSIE.    [Furious.']    Oh,  you  horrid,  nasty  thing, 


56      THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

you!  [She  strikes  at  him;  he  rims;  she  chases 
him  from  one  side  of  the  room  to  the  other,  around 
a  sofa  and  table,  and  out  Le/t,  screaming  as  she 
chases  him.]  I  hate  you !  I  hate  you ! 

[MAGGIE  enters  Right. 

MAGGIE.  Miss  Susie,  Mrs.  Tillman  wants  to 
see  you  upstairs. 

SUSIE.   What  for? 

MAGGIE.   I  don't  know,  Miss. 

SUSIE.   Pshaw !  have  1  got  to  go  ?    All  right ! 

[Going  toward  the  door  at  Right. 
[AUSTIN  enters,  meeting  SUSIE. 

AUSTIN.   Hello!    Where  are  you  going? 

SUSIE.  Oh,  up  to  Auntie  Tillman's  room. 
Goodness  knows  what  for ;  it's  an  awful  bore ! 
Want  to  come  along? 

AUSTIN.  No,  thank  you;  but  if  you  see  your 
Cousin  Jinny,  you  might  tell  her  I  am  down. 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     57 

SUSIE.  [Hanging  on  to  him.]  I  say!  Where 
are  you  and  Cousin  Jinny  going  to,  anyway? 

AUSTIN.   [Smiling.]   I  don't  know. 

SUSIE.  O  my,  what  a  fib!  And  that's  a  nice 
example  to  set  a  little  girl! 

[She  goes  out  Right. 

MAGGIE.  [Coming  forward.]  I  beg  pardon,  sir, 
but  may  I  speak  to  you  a  minute? 

AUSTIN.    Certainly,  Maggie,  what  is  it? 

MAGGIE.  I've  been  trying  for  a  chance  to  see 
you  alone.  I  wouldn't  bother  you,  sir  —  but  it's 
only  because  I'm  fond  of  Miss  Jinny,  and  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tillman,  and  they've  all  been  so 
good  to  me;  I  know  it  would  nearly  kill  'em  if 
they  knew. 

AUSTIN.   Come,  Maggie,  knew  what? 

MAGGIE.  Well,  one  member  of  this  family  ain't 
been  good  to  me,  sir.  [From  this  point  her  feelings 


58      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

begin  to  get  the  better  of  her  and  she  speaks  rapidly 
and  hysterically.}  He's  been  bad,  bad  as  he  could, 
and  somebody's  got  to  talk  to  him,  and  I  don't 
see  who's  a-goin'  to  do  it  but  you.  If  he 
don't  change,  I'll  not  hold  my  tongue  any 
longer.  It's  all  I  can  do  for  their  sakes  to  hold 
it  now ! 

AUSTIN.  Look  here,  what  are  you  talking  about  ? 
You  don't  mean  Mr.  Geoffrey? 

MAGGIE.   Yes,  I  do,  sir;  he's  my  husband. 

AUSTIN.   What!! 

MAGGIE.  We  was  married  when  he  was  at  Yale, 
sir;  I  was  in  a  shop  there. 

AUSTIN.  But  —  !  Well,  after  all,  isn't  this 
your  and  Geoffrey's  affair?  Why  bring  me  in? 

MAGGIE.  Because  he's  making  love  to  Miss 
Chester,  and  promising  to  marry  her  now,  and  if 
he  don't  stop  —  I'll  make  trouble ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     59 

AUSTIN.  But  if  he's  married  to  you,  as  you  say 
-  he  can't  marry  —  any  one  else. 

MAGGIE.  He's  tried  to  make  me  believe  our 
marriage  ain't  legal,  because  he  was  only  twenty 
and  he'd  been  drinking! 

AUSTIN.  What  makes  you  think  Mr.  Geoffrey 
cares  for  —  Miss  Chester  ? 

MAGGIE.  I  just  heard  and  see  him  making 
love  to  her  here! 

AUSTIN.   This  is  a  pretty  bad  story,  Maggie. 

MAGGIE.  Yes,  sir,  and  the  worst  is,  sir,  I  know 
I  ain't  good  enough  for  him,  and  that's  why  I've 
kept  still  about  it  these  three  years,  but  I  can't 
help  loving  him  no  matter  how  ugly  he's  treated 
me.  [Breaking  down  into  tears.}  I  just  can't  help 
it !  I  love  him,  sir,  even  if  I'm  only  a  servant 
girl,  and  I  can't  stand  it  thinking  he's  going  to 
try  and  get  rid  of  me  for  some  one  else ! 


60      THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

[She  sobs  out  loud. 

AUSTIN.    Sh !  —  Maggie.     Sit   down   a   minute, 

and  control  yourself.     Somebody'll  hear  you,  and 

besides   they'll  be   coming  down   presently.      I'll 

have  a  talk  with  Mr.  Geoffrey  when  I  come  back  — 

[Interrupted    as    GEOFFREY    enters    Left.    He 

doesn't  see  MAGGIE,   who  is  collapsed  in  a 

corner  of  the  soja. 

GEOFFREY.  [To  AUSTIN.]  Ah!  Thank  good 
ness  I've  caught  you;  I  had  an  awful  headache 
and  went  out  for  a  breath  of  air,  and  then  I  was 
afraid  I  might  have  missed  you !  I  knew  in  that 
case  Jinny  would  never  forgive  me,  nor  —  I  — 
myself  —  for  that  —  matter  — 

[His  voice  grows  less  exuberant  in  the  middle 
oj  his  speech  and  finally  at  the  end  almost 
dies  away,  as  he  sees  the  expression  in  AUSTIN'S 
face  and  realizes  that  something  is  wrong 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     61 

somewhere.     When  he  stops  speaking,  MAGGIE 
gives  a  gasping  sob.     He  hears  it,  and  start 
ing,  sees  her. 
GEOFFREY.   Maggie ! 

AUSTIN.    Geoffrey,  is  what  this  girl  says  true? 
GEOFFREY.   That  I  married  her  in  New  Haven  ? 
Yes. 

MAGGIE.    [Rises.]   I'll  go,  please,  I'd  rather  go. 
AUSTIN.   Yes,  go,  Maggie;  it's  better. 

[MAGGIE  goes  out  Right. 

GEOFFREY.  [As  soon  as  she  is  out  of  the  room.] 
Promise  me,  Jack,  you  won't  tell  any  one!  It's 
awful,  I  know !  For  two  years  at  college  I  went 
all  to  pieces  and  led  a  rotten  life,  —  and  one 
night,  drunk,  I  married  her,  and  it  isn't  so  much 
her  fault.  I  suppose  she  thought  I  loved  her, — 
but  this  would  break  up  the  old  lady  and  gentle 
man  so,  if  they  knew,  I  couldn't  stand  it !  And 


62       THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

Jinny,    for    God's    sake,    don't    tell    Jinny.     She 
respects  me.     You  won't  tell  her,  will  you? 

AUSTIN.  No.  But  Maggie  says  you  want  to 
marry  some  one  else  now. 

GEOFFREY.  [With  a  change,  in  great  shame.] 
That's  true,  too. 

[He  sits  in  utter  dejection  on  the  sofa. 

AUSTIN.    How  are  you  going  to  do  it? 

GEOFFREY.  I  must  make  money  somehow 
and  buy  off  Maggie. 

AUSTIN.  Yes,  go  out  to  Sioux  Falls,  get  a  divorce 
there  on  respectable  grounds,  and  settle  a  sum 
of  money  on  Maggie. 

GEOFFREY.   But  I  can't  do  that! 

AUSTIN.   Why  not? 

GEOFFREY.  I  can't  do  anything  that  would 
give  publicity,  and  that  divorce  would. 

AUSTIN.  Any  divorce  would;  you  can't  get  rid 
of  that. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     63 

GEOFFREY.  I  tell  you  I  can't  have  publicity. 
Ruth  —  Miss  Chester  —  would  hear  of  it. 

AUSTIN.  Well,  if  she  loves  you,  she'll  forgive 
your  wild  oats,  especially  as  every  one  sees  now 
what  a  steady,  straight  fellow  you've  become. 

GEOFFREY.  It's  Ruth!  But  I  can't  do  that. 
No,  Jack,  you  must  help  —  you  will,  won't 
you  ?  Oh,  do,  for  Jinny's  sake !  Help  me  to 
persuade  Maggie  to  keep  silent  for  good,  tear  up 
that  certificate  of  marriage.  I  was  only  twenty; 
it's  hardly  legal,  and  I'll  settle  a  good  sum  — 

[Interrupted. 

AUSTIN.  [Going  straight  to  him,  puts  his  hand 
heavily  on  his  shoulder.]  Good  God,  you're 
proposing  bigamy !  You've  done  enough ;  don't 
stoop  to  crime! 

[The    two    MEN    face   each    other    a    moment. 
GEOFFREY'S  head  drops. 


64      THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  Forget  you  ever  said  that;  do  what 
I  tell  you  when  Jinny  and  I  have  gone  abroad, 
so  she  will  be  away  from  it  a  little,  and  if  you 
want  money,  let  me  know. 

[JINNY  enters  Right,  with  nervous  gaiety,  covering 
an  upheaving  emotion  which  is  very  near 
the  surface. 

JINNY.  Ready !  And  there  you  are,  Geof.  I've 
been  sending  all  over  the  house  after  you  !  Good- 
by!  {Throwing  her  arms  about  him.]  Dear  old 
Geof !  Haven't  we  had  good  times  together ! 
Always,  always  from  the  youngest  days  I  can  re 
member — I  don't  believe  there  were  ever  a  brother 
and  sister  so  sympathetic ;  I  know  there  was  never 
a  brother  such  a  perfect  darling  as  you  were — I'll 
miss  you,  Geof!  [The  tears  come  into  her  voice, 
anyway.]  I  used  to  think  I'd  never  marry  at  all 
if  I  couldn't  marry  you,  and  I  do  think  he  is  the 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     65 

only  man  in  the  world  who  could  have  taken  me 
away  from  home,  so  long  as  you  were  there !  [To 
AUSTIN,  smiling.}  You  aren't  jealous? 

AUSTIN.   No! 

JINNY.  [In  jest.}  Isn't  it  awful!  You  can't 
make  him  jealous !  I  think  it's  a  positive  flaw 
in  his  character !  Not  like  —  us,  is  he  ? 

GEOFFREY.    Dear  old  girl  — 

JINNY.  [Whispers  to  him.}  And  I've  noticed 
how  you've  overcome  certain  things,  dear  Geof. 
I  know  it's  been  hard,  and  I'm  proud  of  you. 

GEOFFREY.  Sh!  Jinny,  dear  old  sister!  I'll 
miss  you!  By  George,  Jin,  the  house'll  be  awful 
without  —  but  you  —  [His  voice  grows  husky.} 
—  just  excuse  me  a  minute ! 

[He  is  about  to  break  down,  and  so  hurries  out 
Right. 

JINNY.  [Sniffling.}  He  was  going  to  cry !  Oh, 
F 


66      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

Jack,  you'll  be  a  brother  to  Geoffrey,  won't  you? 
You  know  he's  been  awfully  dissipated,  and  he's 
changed  it  all,  all  by  himself!  //  he  should  go 
wrong  again  —  I  believe  it  would  break  my  heart, 
I  love  him  so ! 

AUSTIN.  I'll  do  more  for  him,  if  he  ever  needs 
me,  than  if  he  were  my  own  brother,  because  he's 
yours  ! 

JINNY.  [Presses  his  hand  and  looks  up  at  him 
lovingly  and  gratefully.}  Thank  you.  Wait  here 
just  a  minute;  I  know  he  won't  come  back  to 
say  good-by.  He's  gone  up  to  his  room,  I'm 
sure  — I'll  just  surprise  him  with  a  hug  and  my 
hands  over  his  eyes  like  we  used  to  do  years  ago. 

[She  starts  to  go  out  Right,  and  meets  MR.  and 
MRS.  TILLMAN,  who  enter. 

TILLMAN.   The  carriage  is  here! 

JINNY.   I  won't  be  a  second  - 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES     67 

[She  goes  out  Right. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Where  has  she  gone? 

AUSTIN.   Up  to  her  brother. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Her  father's  been  locked  up 
in  his  study  for  three  hours  —  he  says  thinking, 
but  to  me  his  eyes  look  very  suspicious ! 

[Taking  her  husband's  arm  affectionately. 

TILLMAN.    [Clears  his  throat.]   Nonsense! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Well,  how  many  cigars  did 
you  smoke? 

TILLMAN.    Eight. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  The  amount  of  emotion  that 
a  man  can  soak  out  of  himself  with  tobacco  is 
wonderful !  He  uses  it  just  like  a  sponge ! 

TILLMAN.  Jack,  the  first  thing  I  asked  about 
you  when  I  heard  that  —  er  —  that  things  were 
getting  this  way  was,  does  he  smoke?  A  man 
who  smokes  has  always  that  outlet.  If  things 


68      THE   GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

go  wrong  —  go  out  and  smoke  a  cigar,  and  when 
the  cigar's  finished,  ten  to  one  everything's  got 
right,  somehow !  If  you  lose  your  temper,  don't 
speak !  —  a  cigar,  and  when  it's  finished,  then 
speak !  You'll  find  the  temper  all  gone  up  in  the 
smoke!  A  woman's  happiness  is  safest  with  a 
man  who  smokes.  [He  clears  his  throat,  which 
is -filling.}  God  bless  you,  Jack,  it  is  a  wrench; 
our  only  girl,  you  know.  She's  been  a  great  joy 
—  ahem ! 

[He  quickly  gets  out  a  cigar. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [Stopping  him  from  smoking.] 
No,  no,  dear,  they're  going  now! 

TILLMAN.  Well,  the  best  I  can  say  is,  I  wish 
you  as  happy  a  married  life  as  her  mother  and  I 
have  had. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Thirty-five  dear  years!  But 
now,  George,  let  me  say  a  word  —  you  always  have 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      69 

monopolized  our  new  son  —  he'll  be  much  fonder 
of  you  than  me! 

TILLMAN.    Old  lady !  —  Jealous !  - 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Turn  about  is  fair  play  — 
you're  jealous  still  of  Jinny  and  me.  [She  pauses 
a  moment.]  I  think  we'd  better  tell  him! 

TILLMAN.  All  right.  The  only  rifts  in  our 
lute,  Jack,  have  been  little  threads  of  jealousy 
that  have  snapped  sometimes ! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Nothing  ever  serious  —  of 
course,  but  it's  a  fault  that  Jinny  shares  with  us, 
and  the  only  fault  we've  ever  been  able  to  find. 

TILLMAN.  We  called  her  for  years  the  girl 
with  the  green  eyes.  She  goes  it  pretty  strong 
sometimes ! 

AUSTIN.    Oh,  that's  all  right  —  I  shall  like  it ! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  You'll  always  bear  with  her, 
won't  you,  if  she  should  ever  get  jealous  of  you? 


70      THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.    Of  me  ?    I'll  never  give  her  the  chance. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  It  isn't  a  question  of  chance; 
you  just  can't  help  it  sometimes,  can  you,  George  ? 

TILLMAN.    No,  you  can't. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   And  so  - 

AUSTIN.  Don't  worry!  Your  daughter's  safe 
with  me.  I'm  not  the  jealous  sort  myself  and  I 
love  Jinny  so  completely,  so  calmly,  and  yet  with 
my  heart,  and  soul,  and  mind,  and  body,  she'll 
never  have  a  chance  even  to  try  to  be  jealous  of 
me  I 

TILLMAN.   Sh ! 

[JINNY  enters  Right. 

JINNY.  I  found  poor  Maggie  up  in  my  room 
crying!  She  says  she  can't  bear  to  have  me  go 
away.  I  think  she's  sorry  now  she  wouldn't 
come  with  me  as  maid  —  and  I  said  good-by  to 
cook  and  she  sniffed ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     71 

[AUSTIN  looks  at  his  watch. 
AUSTIN.   Oh!  we  ought  to  go! 
MRS.   TILLMAN.    Good-by,  darling! 
[Kissing  JINNY  and  embracing  her  a  long  time, 
while    AUSTIN    and    TILLMAN    shake    hands 
warmly  and  say  good-by. 

JINNY.    [Going  to  her  father.]   Good-by,  father. 
Dear  old  father  I 

[With  happy  emotion. 
[AUSTIN  meanwhile  is  shaking  hands  with  MRS. 

TILLMAN. 

JINNY.    [Returns     to     her     mother.]    Darling  — 
oh,  how  good   you've   always   been  to   me!    Oh, 
mummy  darling,  I  shall  miss  you!     You'll  send 
me  a  letter  to-morrow,  won't  you,  or  a  telegram? 
Send  a  telegram  — you've  got  the  address! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.    [With  tears  in  her  eyes.]  Yes, 
it's  written  down  I 


72      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.    You  can  tell  father,  but  no  one  else ! 

[Hugs  and  kisses  her  mother. 
TILLMAN.    Come,    Susan!     They'll    lose    their 
train ! 

[JiNNY  again  embraces  her  falher. 

ALL.    Good-by!     Good-by! 

[JiNNY,  starting  to  go  with  AUSTIN,  suddenly 
leaves  him  and  runs  back  again  to  her  mother 
and  throws  herself  in  her  arms.  They  embrace, 
in  tears. 

JINNY.    Good-by,  mother! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.    Good-by,  my  darling! 

TILLMAN.    Come,  come !  they'll  lose  their  train ! 

[JiNNY  runs  to  AUSTIN,  and  with  his  arms  about 
her,  they  hurry  to  the  door  Left.  They  go 
through  the  doors  at  back  to  window  in  the 
corridor.  JINNY  stops  at  the  door  and  she 
and  AUSTIN  face  each  other  a  moment. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     73 

JINNY.   [Looking  up  at  him.]   Oh,  Jack! 
[She  throws  her  arms  about  his  neck  and  buries 
her  face  on  his  shoulder. 

4 

AUSTIN.    Jinny,  Jinny  dear,  you're  not  sorry? 

JINNY.  [Slowly  raises  her  head  and  looks  at 
him,  smiling  through  her  tears,  and  speaks  in  a 
voice  full  of  tears  and  little  sobs.]  Sorry  ?  Oh,  no ! 
Oh,  no !  It  hurts  me  to  leave  them,  but  I  never 
was  so  happy  in  my  life ! 

[He  kisses  her  and  they  hurry  out,  with  his  arm 
about  her. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [In  the  corridor,  lijts  the  win 
dow.]  I  hear  the  door  — 

TILLMAN.   There  they  are! 

[SusiE  rushes  across  the  stage  with  a  bowl  of 
rice  in  her  arms  and  goes  out  Left. 

[MR.  and  MRS.  TILLMAN  wave  and  say  "Good- 
by!"  "Good-by!"  "Good-by!"  They  close 


74      THE    GIRL    WITH    THE    GREEN  EYES 

the  window  in  silence.  The  sound  is  heard  as 
the  window  jrame  reaches  the  bottom.  They 
turn  and  come  slowly  forward,  TILLMAN 
wiping  his  eyes  'and  MRS.  TILLMAN  biting 
her  lips  to  keep  the  tears  back.  They  come 
into  the  front  room  and  stop,  and  /or  a  second 
they  look  around  the  empty  room.  TILLMAN 
puts  his  hand  in  his  pocket  and  takes  out  his 
cigar  case.  MRS.  TILLMAN,  turning,  sees 
him;  she  goes  to  him  swijtly  and  touches 
his  arm,  looking  up  at  him  through  her 
tears.  He  turns  to  her  and  slowly  takes  her 
in  his  arms  and  holds  her  there  close  and 
kisses  her  tenderly  on  the  cheek. 
[SusiE  enters  Le]t,  with  empty  bowl,  sobbing 
aloud,  as 

THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


ACT    II 

(Two  months  later) 

The  Vatican,  Rome;  the  Tribune  oj  the  Apollo 
Belvedere ;  a  semicircular  room  with  dark 
red  walls ;  in  the  centre  is  the  large  statue  of 
Apollo.  There  are  doorways  at  Right  and  Left. 
There  is  a  bench  on  the  right  side  oj  the  room. 
A  single  LADY  TOURIST  enters  Right,  takes  a 
hasty  glance,  yawns,  and  looking  down  at  her 
Baedeker,  goes  out  Left.  A  PAPAL  GUARD  is 
seen  passing  outside  in  the  court.  A  FRENCH 
MAN  and  his  WIFE  (with  Baedekers]  are  seen 
approaching;  they  are  heard  talking  volubly. 
They  enter  Left. 

BOTH.   Ah !  - 

[They  stand  a  moment  in  silent  admiration. 

75 


76      THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

HE.    [Reading    from     Baedeker.]    Apollo     Bel 
vedere.     [He  looks  up.}     C'est  superb ! 

SHE.   [Beaming  with  admiration.}   Magnifique ! 
Voila  un  homme ! 
HE.   Quelle  grace! 
SHE.   Quelle  force! 

[Both  talk  at  once  in  great  admiration  and  in 
tense  excitement  jor  a  jew  moments.  Then 
he  suddenly  drops  into  his  ordinary  tone  and 
manner. 

HE.   Allons,  allons  nous ! 
SHE.   [In  the  same  tone.]   Oui,  j'ai  faim! 

[They  go  out  Right. 

[JINNY  and  AUSTIN  enter  Left,  he  looking  over 
his  shoulder.  They  stand  a  moment  just 
inside  the  doorway. 

JINNY.   What  are  you  looking  back  so  much 
for,  Jackie? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     77 

AUSTIN.   I  thought  I  saw  some  one  I  know. 

JINNY.   Who? 

AUSTIN.  I  didn't  know  who;  it  just  seemed  to 
be  a  familiar  back. 

JINNY.  [Playfully, .]  Oh,  come!  I  think  the 
present  works  of  art  and  your  loving  wife  are 
quite  enough  for  you  to  look  at  without  hunting 
around  for  familiar  backs! 

AUSTIN.  And  Baedeker !  [Reading  from  Baedeker 
about  the  Apollo.]  Apollo  Belvedere,  found  at 
the  end  of  the  fifteenth  century,  probably  in  a 
Roman  villa  — 

JINNY.   Of  course,  Apollo! 

AUSTIN.   Great,  isn't  it? 

JINNY.  Stunning!  [She  turns  and  looks  at 
him,  smiling  quizzically.]  Still  —  but  I  suppose 
I'm  prejudiced! 

AUSTIN.   [Obtuse.]  Still  what? 


78      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  You  dear  old  stupid !  You  know, 
Jack,  you're  deeply  and  fundamentally  clever  and 
brilliant,  but  you're  not  quite  —  bright  —  not 
quick  ! 

[Laughing. 

AUSTIN.  Don't  you  think  having  one  in  the 
family  quick  as  chain  lightning  is  enough  ?  What 
have  I  missed  this  time,  Jinny?  You  don't  mean 
you've  found  a  family  likeness  in  the  statue  over 
there?  I  don't  want  to  be  unappreciative,  but 
it  doesn't  suggest  your  father  to  me  in  the  least,  — 
nor  even  Geoffrey. 

JINNY.  Stupid!!  Of  course  it  doesn't  sug 
gest  anybody  to  me  —  I  was  only  thinking  I 
sympathized  with  Mrs.  Perkins  of  Boston,  — 
don't  you  know  the  old  story  about  her? 

AUSTIN.   No,  what  was  it? 

JINNY.    [Ajter  a  quick  look  around  to  see  that 


THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     79 

they  are  alone, .]  Well  —  Mrs.  Perkins  from  Boston 
was  personally  conducted  here  once  and  shown 
this  very  statue,  and  she  looked  at  it  for  a  few 
moments,  and  then  turned  around  and  said, 
"Yes,  it's  all  right,  but  give  me  Perkins!" 

AUSTIN.    Jinny ! 

[Laughing. 

JINNY.  Are  you  shocked?  Come,  I'm  tired; 
let's  sit  down  here  and  read  my  letters  —  there's 
one  from  Geof. 

[They  sit   on  the  bench   at  Right,   and   JINNY 
takes  out  a  letter  from  GEOFFREY. 

AUSTIN.  I'll  read  ahead  in  Baedeker  and  you 
tell  me  if  there's  any  news.  [He  opens  the 
Baedeker  and  reads,  and  she  opens  and  reads  the 
letter.}  Where  is  Geof's  letter  from? 

JINNY.  New  York,  of  course ;  where  else  would 
it  be? 


8o      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.   I  had  an  idea  he  was  going  away. 

JINNY.    Geof!     Where? 

AUSTIN.   West,  a  good  way  somewhere. 

JINNY.   But  why  would  he  go  West? 

AUSTIN.  Oh,  he  had  some  business,  I  believe; 
I  remember  thinking  it  was  a  good  idea  when 
he  told  me.  It  was  the  day  we  were  married  — 
I  was  waiting  for  you  to  come  downstairs. 

JINNY.  I  think  it's  very  funny  Geof  never  said 
anything  about  it  to  me. 

AUSTIN.  My  dear,  what  time  had  you?  You 
were  getting  married  II 

JINNY.  I  was!  Thank  heaven!  I'm  so  happy, 
Jack ! 

[Snuggling  up  to  him  on  the  bench. 

AUSTIN.  [Steals  a  little,  quick  hug  with  his 
arm  about  her  waist.}  Bless  you,  darling,  I  don't 
think  there  was  ever  a  man  as  happy  as  I  am ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      81 

[They  start  apart  quickly  as  a  GERMAN  COUPLE 
enter  Right,  with  a  YOUNG  DAUGHTER,  who 
is  munching  a  cake,  and  hanging,  a  tired 
and  unwilling  victim,  to  her  mother's 
hand. 

WOMAN.   Ach !  schon !  sehr  schon ! ! 
MAN.    Grosses,  nicht? 
WOMAN.    Yah  I 

[They  stand  admiring. 

AUSTIN.   By  the  way,  when  you  answer  your 
brother's  letter,  I  wish  you'd  say  I  seemed  sur 
prised  he  was  still  in  New  York. 
JINNY.    [Reading.]   Um  —  urn  — 
MAN.    [Wiping  his  warm  brow.]   Wunderbaum! 
WOMAN.    Yah!! 

[They  go  out  Left,  talking, 
JINNY.   [Looking    up    from     her    letter.]   Oh! 
what  do  you  think? 

G 


82      THE    GIRL    WITH    THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  That  you're  the  sweetest  woman  in 
the  world. 

JINNY.  No,  darling,  I  mean  who  do  you  think 
Geoffrey  says  is  over  here  and  in  Italy? 

AUSTIN.  I  haven't  the  most  remote  idea!  So 
far  as  Pve  been  able  to  observe  there  has  been 
absolutely  no  one  in  Italy  but  you  and  me. 

JINNY.  If  you  keep  on  talking  like  that,  I  shall 
kiss  you ! 

AUSTIN.  What!  before  the  tall,  white  gentle 
man?  [Motioning  to  Apollo.]  I  am  dumb. 

JINNY.  [Very  lovingly.}  Silly!  Well !  — Mrs. 
Cullingham  and  Peter  are  over  here  and  have 
brought  Ruth  Chester! 

AUSTIN.  [Speaking  without  thinking.]  Then  it 
was  her  back. 

JINNY.  [With  the  smallest  sharpening  oj  the 
look  in  her  eye.]  When? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     83 

AUSTIN.   That  I  saw  just  now. 

JINNY.  [With  the  tiniest  suggestion  of  a  strain 
in  her  voice.]  You  said  you  didn't  know  whom 
it  reminded  you  of. 

AUSTIN.    Yes,  I  know,  I  didn't  quite. 

JINNY.  But  if  you  thought  it  was  Ruth  Chester, 
why  not  have  said  so? 

AUSTIN.    No  reason,  dear,  I  simply  didn't  think. 

JINNY.  Well  —  [Sententiously.]  —  next  time  — 
think  ! 

AUSTIN.   What  else  does  Geoffrey  say? 

JINNY.  Oh,  nothing.  The  heat  for  two  days 
was  frightful  —  already  they  miss  me  more  than 
he  can  say  — 

[Interrupted. 

AUSTIN.   I'll  bet. 

JINNY.  Father  smoked  nineteen  cigars  a  day 
the  first  week  I  was  gone. 


84      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.   7  haven't  had  to  smoke  any! 

JINNY.  Mercy  !  don't  boast !  —  and  he  thinks 
they  will  all  soon  go  to  Long  Island  for  the 
summer. 

AUSTIN.  Doesn't  he  say  a  word  nor  a  hint  at 
his  going  West? 

JINNY.  No,  he  says  he  may  go  to  Newport  for 
August,  and  that's  all. 

[Putting  away  letter,  and  getting  out  others. 

AUSTIN.    Going  to  read  all  those? 

JINNY.  If  you  don't  mind,  while  I  rest.  Do 
you  mind? 

AUSTIN.  Of  course  not,  but  I  think  while 
you're  reading  I'll  just  take  a  little  turn  and  see 
if  I  can't  come  across  the  Cullinghams. 

[Rising. 

JINNY.  [After  the  merest  second's  pause,  and 
looking  seriously  at  him.]  Why  don't  you  ? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     85 

AUSTIN.   I'll  bring  them  here  if  I  find  them  - 

[He  goes  out  Right. 

[ JINNY  looks  up  where  he  went  off  and  gazes, 
motionless,    for   a   few   moments.     Then   she 
throws  of)  the  mood  and  opens  a  letter. 
[Two  tired  Americans  enter  Right,  a  girl  and 

her  mother,  MRS.  LOPP  and  CARRIE. 
MRS.  LOPP.   What's  this,  Carrie? 
CARRIE.   [Looking    in    her  Baedeker.]   I    don't 
know ;   I've  sort  of  lost  my  place,  somehow ! 

MRS.  LOPP.   Well,  we  must  be  in  Room  No.  3 
or  4  —  ain't  we  ? 

CARRIE.    [Reads   out.]   The   big   statue   at   the 
end  of  Room  No.  3  is  Diana  the  Huntress. 

MRS.    LOPP.   This    must  be  it,  then,  —  Diana ! 
Strong-looking  woman,  ain't  she? 

CARRIE.   Yes,  very  nice.     You  know  she  was  the 
goddess  who  wouldn't  let  the  men  see  her  bathe. 


86      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

MRS.  LOPP.  Mercy,  Carrie!  and  did  all  the 
other  goddesses?  I  don't  think  much  of  their 
habits.  I  suppose  this  is  the  same  person  those 
Italians  sell  on  the  streets  at  home,  and  call  the 
Bather. 

[JiNNY  is  secretly  very  much  amused,  finally 
she  speaks. 

JINNY.  Excuse  me,  but  you  are  in  one 
of  the  cabinets  —  and  this  is  the  Apollo 
Belvedere. 

MRS.  LOPP.  Oh,  thank  you  very  much.  I  guess 
we've  got  mixed  up  with  the  rooms,  —  seems  as  if 
there's  so  many. 

CARRIE.  [Triumphantly.]  There!  I  thought  it 
was  a  man  all  the  time ! 

MRS.  LOPP.  Well,  what  with  so  many  of  the 
statues  only  being  piecemeal,  as  it  were,  and  so 
many  of  the  men  having  kinder  women's  hair, 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     87 

I  declare  it  seems  as  if  I  don't  know  the  ladies 
from  the  gentlemen  half  the  time. 

CARRIE.    Did  the  rest  of  us  go  through  here? 

JINNY:   I  beg  your  pardon? 

CARRIE.  Thirty-four  people  with  a  gassy  guide  ? 
We  got  so  tired  hearing  him  talk  that  we  jes' 
sneaked  off  by  ourselves,  and  now  we're  a  little 
scared  about  getting  home;  we  belong  to  the 
Cook's  Gentlemen  and  Ladies. 

JINNY.  Oh,  no,  the  others  haven't  passed  through 
here;  probably  they  have  gone  to  see  the  pic 
tures;  you'd  better  go  back  and  keep  asking  the 
attendants  the  way  to  the  pictures  till  you  get  there. 

MRS.  LOPP.  [With  rather  subdued  voice.]  Thank 
you!  We've  come  to  do  Europe  and  the  Holy 
Land  in  five  weeks  for  $400  —  but  I  don't  know, 
seems  as  if  I'm  getting  awful  tired  —  after  jes' 
sevin  days. 


88      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

CARRIE.  [Affectionately.]  Now,  mommer,  don't 
give  up ;  it's  because  you  haven't  got  over  being 
seasick  yet;  that's  all! 

JINNY.  [Helplessly.]  Oh,  yes,  you'll  find  it 
much  less  tiring  in  a  few  days,  I'm  sure. 

MRS.  LOPP.  Still  Rome  does  seem  a  powerful 
way  from  home!  How'll  we  ask  for  the  pictures? 

CARRIE.  Why,  mommer!  " Tableaux !"  " Tab 
leaux  ! "  I  should  think  you'd  'a '  learned  that  from 
our  church  entertainments!  Good-by;  thank 
you  ever  so  much. 

MRS.  LOPP.  You  haven't  lost  your  party,  too, 
have  you? 

JINNY.  [Smiling.]  I  hope  not!  He  promised 
to  come  back  ! ! 

MRS.   LOPP.    Oh !  pleased  to  have  met  you  - 
Good-by  I 

[They  start  off  Left. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      89 

JINNY.   No,    not    that    way  —  back    the    way 
you  came. 

MRS.  LOPP.  Oh,  thank  you! 
[She  drops  her  black  silk  bag;  out  of  it  drop 
crackers,  an  account  book,  a  thimble,  a  thread- 
and-needle  case,  a  bottle  of  pepsin  tablets,  etc. 
They  all  stoop  to  pick  the  collection  up, 
JINNY  helping. 

JINNY.   [Handing.]   I'm  sure  you'll  want  these ! 
MRS.  LOPP.   Yes,  indeed;    don't  you  find  them 
coupon  meals  very  dissatisfactory? 

CARRIE.   Thank    you    ever    so    much    again. 
Come  on,  mommer! 

[MRS.  LOPP  and  CARRIE  go  out  Left. 
[JINNY  looks  at  her  watch  and  goes  back  to  her 
letter. 

[MRS.  CULLINGHAM  enters  Left, 
MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   [Screams.}   Jinny! 


90      THE    GIRL   WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  [Jumps  up.]  Mrs.  Cullingham !  [They 
embrace.]  Did  Jack  find  you? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  No,  we  haven't  seen  him ! 
Ruth  and  Peter  are  dawdling  along,  each  on  their 
own;  I  like  to  shoot  through  a  gallery.  There's 
no  use  spending  so  much  time;  when  it's  over 
you've  mixed  everything  all  up  just  the  same ! 

JINNY.  [Laughing.]  Well,  I've  this  minute  read 
a  letter  from  Geoffrey  saying  you  were  over  here. 
And  Jack,  who  thought  he  got  a  glimpse  of  you  a 
little  while  ago,  went  straight  off  to  try  and  find 
you. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  What  fun  it  is  to  see  you 
—  and  how  happy  you  look ! 

JINNY.   I  couldn't  look  as  happy  as  I  feel! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  [Glancing  at  the  statue.] 
Who's  your  friend?  Nice  gent,  isn't  he? 

[Laughing. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     91 

JINNY.  Mr.  Apollo!  Would  you  like  to  meet 
him? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  [Hesitates.}  Er  —  no  —  I 
don't  think  !  You  must  draw  the  line  somewhere ! 
He  wouldn't  do  a  thing  to  Corbett,  would  he  ? 

JINNY.   Who  was  Corbett? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  He  was  a  prize  fighter, 
and  is  —  but  that's  another  story  —  Do  you 
mean  to  say  you've  never  heard  of  him? 

JINNY.  Oh,  the  name  sounds  familiar.  But 
this,  you  know,  is  Apollo. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  No,  I  don't  know;  was  he 
a  champion? 

JINNY.   No,  he  was  a  Greek  god! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Oh,  was  he?  Well,  I 
wouldn't  have  cared  about  being  in  the  tailoring 
business  in  those  days,  would  you?  Let's  sit 
down.  [They  sit  on  bench  Right.}  Of  course  you 


92      THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

know  we  wouldn't  accept  a  thing  like  that  in 
Peoria,  where  I  come  from,  as  a  gift!  No, 
indeed!  If  the  King  of  Italy  sent  it  over  to 
our  Mayor,  he'd  return  it  C.O.D. 

JINNY.  Sounds  like  Boston  and  the  Macmon- 
nies  Bacchante ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Oh,  my  dear,  worse  than 
that !  It  reminds  me  of  a  man  at  home  who  kept 
an  underclothing  store  in  our  principal  street  and 
had  a  plaster  cast  of  this  gent's  brother,  I  should 
think,  in  his  window  to  show  a  suit  of  Jaegers  on, 
—  you  know,  a  "  combination  "!  And  our  Town 
Committee  of  Thirteen  for  the  moral  improvement 
of  Peoria  made  the  man  take  it  out  of  his  window 
and  hang  the  suit  up  empty! 

JINNY.   Poor  man ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  You  ought  to  see  our 
Park  !  —  you  know  we've  got  a  perfectly  beautiful 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     93 

park,  —  and  all  the  men  statues  wear  Prince 
Alberts,  and  stand  like  this  —  [She  poses  with 
lifted  arm  at  right  angle  to  body.]  —  as  if  they 
were  saying,  "This  way  out"  or  "To  the 
monkey  cage  and  zoo." 

JINNY.    [Laughing.]   But   the   women   statues? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  My  dear!  They  only 
have  heads  and  hands ;  all  the  rest's  just  clumps 
of  drapery  —  we  only  have  "Americans"  and 
"Libertys,"  anyway.  They  apply  the  Chinese 
emigration  law  to  all  Venuses  and  sick  ladies! 

[They  both  laugh. 

JINNY.  Where  did  you  say  Peter  and  Ruth 
were? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Well,  I  left  Peter  —  who 
isn't  at  all  well ;  I  hoped  this  trip  would  help  his 
indigestion,  but  it  seems  to  have  made  it  worse !  — 
I  left  him — er — in  a  room  with  a  lot  of  broken- 


94      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

up  Venuses  —  I  thought  it  was  all  right ;  he  was 
eating  candy,  and  there  wasn't  a  whole  woman 
among  'em ! 

JINNY.  [Slight  strain  in  her  voice.]  How  did 
you  happen  to  bring  over  Ruth  Chester? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Well,  you  know  I  always 
liked  her.     She  never  snubbed  me  in  her  life  — 
I  don't   think  any  one   you've   introduced  me  to 
has  been  quite  so  nice  to  Peter  and  me  as  Mrs. 
Chester  and  her  daughter. 

JINNY.    O  they  are  real  people ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Ruth  is  terribly  depressed 
over  something.  She's  thin  as  a  rail  and  the 
family  are  worried.  She  says  there's  nothing 
worrying  her,  and  the  doctors  can't  find  anything 
the  matter  with  her,  —  so  Mrs.  Chester  asked  me 
if  I  wouldn't  take  her  abroad.  They  thought 
the  voyage  and  change  might  do  her  good,  and  I 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     95 

seem  to  have  a  more  cheery  influence  over  her 
than  most  people.  So  here  we  are!  [As  PETER 
enters  Left,  eating.]  Here's  Peter!  How  do  you 
think  the  darling  looks? 

PETER.   How  do  you  do,  Mrs.  Austin? 

JINNY.  How  do  you  do,  Peter?  [They  shake 
hands.]  I'm  sorry  to  hear  you  are  seedy,  but 
you  eat  too  many  sweet  things. 

PETER.  I'm  not  eating  candy;  it's  soda  mints! 
[Showing  a  small  bottle.]  I  am  bad  to-day,  mother. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  If  you  don't  get  better, 
we'll  go  to  Carlsbad. 

JINNY.   How  do  you  like  Rome,  Peter? 

PETER.  Oh,  I  don't  know  —  too  much  Boston 
and  not  enough  Chicago  to  make  it  a  real  lively 
town. 

JINNY.  [Laughing.]  I  think  I'll  go  look  for 
Jack  and  tell  him  you've  turned  up. 


96      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Perhaps  he's  found  Ruth. 

JINNY.  [With  a  change  in  her  voice.]  Yes, 
perhaps. 

[She  goes  out  Right. 

PETER.  [Going  to  the  doorway  Right,  calls  after 
her.]  Ruth's  in  a  room  on  your  left,  with  rows 
of  men's  heads  on  shelves,  Emperors  and  things, 
—  but  gee,  such  a  job  lot! 

[Comes  back  and  looks  up  at  the  statue. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Isn't  it  beautiful,  Peter? 

PETER.   No,  it's  too  big/ 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Still  this  one  isn't  broken ! 

PETER.  That's  a  comfort!  Yes,  it  has  been 
mended,  too !  [Examining.]  Oh,  yes,  it's  only 
another  of  these  second-hand  statues.  Say,  you 
missed  one  whole  one,  the  best  I've  seen  yet !  A 
Venus  off  in  a  fine  little  room,  all  mosaics  and 
painted  walls,  —  that's  where  I've  been. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     97 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Why,  Peter  Cullingham ! 
Alone?  What  kind  of  a  Venus? 

PETER.  Oh,  beautiful!  I  forgot  to  take  my 
medicine ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Was  she  —  er  —  dressed, 
darling  ? 

PETER.  We  —  you  know  —  she  had  been,  but 
she'd  sort  of  pushed  it  a  good  way  off! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  [With  a  sigh.]  You  know 
we  ought  to  admire  these  things,  Peter  darling; 
that's  partly  what  we've  come  to  Europe  for ! 

PETER.  O  pshaw !  here  comes  a  gang  of  tour 
ists.  Come  on,  let's  skip ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   But  Ruth  and  Mrs.  Austin  ? 

PETER.  We  didn't  agree  to  wait,  and  we  can 
all  meet  at  our  hotel. 

[A  crowd  of  TOURISTS,  led  by  a  GUIDE,  presses 
and  crowds  in  the  doorway.  They  drag 


98      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

their  tired  jeet  in  a  listless  shuffle  across  the 
room  and  stand  in  a  somewhat  sheepish  and 
stupid  bunch  at  the  statue.  One  or  two  of 
the  younger  women  nudge  each  other  and 
giggle.  The  GUIDE  stands  a  little  in  advance 
of  them.  The  GUIDE  describes  the  statue,  and 
•while  he  is  doing  so  PETER  and  MRS.  CUL- 
LINGHAM  go  out  Right.  Most  oj  the  TOUR 
ISTS  turn  and  watch  them  go  instead  oj 
looking  at  the  statue. 

GUIDE.  This  is  the  Apollo  Belvedere,  discov 
ered  at  the  end  of  the  fifteenth  century,  some  say 
in  a  Roman  villa  or  farm-house  near  the  Grotter 
Terratter.  Very  fine  specimen  both  as  marble 
and  man.  This  statyer  is  calculated  to  make 
Sandow  et  cetery  look  like  thirty  cents.  Height 
seven  feet,  weight  — 
A  MAN  TOURIST.  How  much? 


THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES      99 

A  GIRL  TOURIST.   Was  he  married? 

[Titters  from  the  group. 

GUIDE.  Give  it  up!  Should  judge  he  was. 
The  god  once  held  a  bow  in  his  left  hand  and 
probably  a  laurel  wreath  in  his  right. 

ANOTHER  WOMAN  TOURIST.   A  what? 

GUIDE.  A  laurel  wreath.  You  want  to  take 
a  good  look  at  this,  as  it  is  a  very  fine  piece. 
Now  come  along,  please  —  make  haste;  we  must 
finish  up  this  place  before  feeding! 

[He  leads  the  way  out  Right,  and  the  TOURISTS 
follow,  shuffling  along,  without  speaking, 
MRS.  LOPP  and  CARRIE  lagging  in  the  rear. 

[AUSTIN  enters  Lejt,  followed  by  Ruth. 

AUSTIN.  This  is  where  I  left  her  with  Apollo! 
[Calls.]  Jinny  !  She  seems  to  have  gone  ! 

[He  looks  behind  the  statue  and  out  door,  Right. 

RUTH.    Probably  the    Cullinghams,   who  were 


ioo     THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

headed  in  this  direction,  found  her,  and  they've 
all  gone  back  for  us ;  you  see  I  walked  all  around 
the  court  first  without  going  into  the  rooms,  so  I 
missed  them,  but  found  you. 

AUSTIN.  What  shall  we  do?  Sit  down  here 
and  wait  for  them  to  come  back,  or  shall  I  go  in 
search  ? 

RUTH.  Oh,  no,  you  might  miss  them,  and  then 
we'd  all  be  lost!  If  you  left  Jinny  here,  she's 
sure  to  come  back  to  meet  you. 

[She  sits  on  the  bench  and  AUSTIN  stands  behind 
her. 

AUSTIN.   I'm  sorry  to  learn  you've  been  ill. 

RUTH.    Oh !  it's  nothing. 

AUSTIN.  Ah,  I'm  afraid  it's  a  good  deal.  Will 
you  forgive  me  if  I  say  I  think  I  know  what  it  is ! 

[She  looks  up  startled. 
[A/ter  a  moment. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    101 

You  haven't  forgotten  the  day  of  Jinny's  and  my 
wedding,  when  you  told  me  Geoffrey  Tillman 
needed  a  friend? 

RUTH.  I  hoped  you'd  forgotten;  I  oughtn't 
to  have  told  you;  I  oughtn't  to  have! 

AUSTIN.  Why  not  ?  I  had  a  talk  with  Geoffrey, 
then,  and  he  told  me  everything. 

RUTH.   He  did!     You  are  sure? 

AUSTIN.   Sure.  [He  sits  beside  her. 

RUTH.   That  he  and  I  - 

AUSTIN.   Love  each  other. 

RUTH.    Oh,  but  that  isn't  all. 

AUSTIN.   I  know  the  rest! 

RUTH.   He  told  you  —  about  —  about  — 

AUSTIN.   The  marriage  ?  —  Yes  ? 

RUTH.  Oh,  I'm  so  glad,  so  glad !  Now  I  can 
speak  of  it  to  some  one,  and  some  one  who  can 
advise  me,  and  will  help  us. 


102     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  I  have  already  advised  him,  but  he 
doesn't  seem  to  be  taking  my  advice;  it  has  worried 
me. 

RUTH.  When  I  left  he  was  awfully  depressed. 
He  said  he  saw  no  prospect  of  being  able  to  pub 
lish  our  marriage  for  years,  maybe! 

AUSTIN.    What  marriage? 

[In  astonishment. 

RUTH.  Our  marriage,  in  Brooklyn !  [She 
notices  his  expression  and  is  alarmed.]  You  said 
he  had  told  you ! 

AUSTIN.  [Recovering  himself,  and  speaking  at 
prst  with  hesitation.}  Yes,  but  not  the  details, 
not  —  wait,  I'm  a  little  confused.  [Rising  and 
walking  a  moment.]  Let's  get  it  all  quite  clear 
now,  that's  the  only  way  I  can  help  you  —  both ; 
I  ought,  of  course,  to  have  gone  through  it  all 
with  him,  but  there  really  wasn't  time. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     103 

RUTH.  I  can't  go  on  like  this  much  longer. 
It's  killing  me  to  deceive  mother;  I  must  tell  her 
soon ! 

AUSTIN.  [Quickly,  stops  walking.}  No.  You 
mustn't,  not  yet,  if  I'm  going  to  help  you;  you'll 
obey  me,  won't  you? 

RUTH.   Yes,  if  you  only  will  help  us! 

AUSTIN.  You  said  you  and  Geoffrey  Tillman 
were  married  where? 

RUTH.   In  Brooklyn. 

AUSTIN.   When  ? 

RUTH.   A  month  before  your  wedding. 

AUSTIN.    [To  himself. ]   It's  impossible! 

[Walking  up  and  down. 

RUTH.    [Smiling    sadly.}   Oh,  no!   I  remember 
the  date  only  too  well. 

AUSTIN.    I  didn't  mean  that. 

RUTH.    I  lied  to  my  mother  that  day  for  the 


io4     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

first  time  —  at  any  rate,  since  I  was  a  child  —  and 
I've  been  lying  to  her  ever  since. 

AUSTIN.  [Probing  her.}  But  —  but  why  were 
you  married  so  secretly? 

RUTH.  We  couldn't  afford  to  marry  and  set 
up  for  ourselves.  He  expected  then  to  be  sent  off 
at  once  to  the  Philippines,  and  —  well  he  didn't 
want  to  leave  me  behind,  free;  I'm  afraid  he's 
rather  jealous  —  you  must  have  found  out  by  now 
that  Jinny  is.  They  all  are!  And  /  didn't  want 
him  to  go  so  far  off  without  my  belonging  to  him 
either;  Vm  that  jealous,  too!  [Smiling.]  So  — 
that's  why! 

AUSTIN.  And  this  long  period  of  secrecy  since 
then  —  do  you  understand  that  ? 

RUTH.  Hasn't  he  explained  to  you  his  debts? 
You  know  before  he  loved  me  he  was  very  fast, 
but  since  — 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    105 

AUSTIN.  Yes,  I  know  how  he  gave  up  every  one 
of  his  old  habits  with  a  great  deal  of  courage. 

RUTH.  Nobody  knows  what  it  cost  him  !  How 
can  you  help  us?  Get  him  something  to  do  to 
pay  off  his  debts?  Or  can't  you  make  him  feel 
even  if  we  do  have  to  go  on  living  at  our  different 
homes  for  a  while,  it  is  better  to  publish  the  fact 
that  we  are  married  ?  — 

AUSTIN.  I  shall  go  back  at  once  to  America  if 
I  can  persuade  Jinny! 

RUTH.   And  I,  too? 

AUSTIN.  No.  You  must  stay  abroad  till  I 
send  word  for  you  to  come  home.  If  I  am  going 
to  help  you,  you  will  help  me  by  doing  exactly 
as  I  say,  won't  you? 

RUTH.  Yes. 

AUSTIN.  It's  very  important  that  you  should 
absolutely  obey  me! 


io6     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

RUTH.   7  will. 

[A  pause. 

[ JINNY,  unnoticed  by  either  oj  them,  appears  in  the 
doorway  at  Right.  AUSTIN  is  walking  up  and 
down.  RUTH  is  leaning  her  elbow  on  the  back 
oj  the  bench  and  burying  her  face  in  her  hands. 

AUSTIN.   It's  awful!     My  God,  it's  awful! 

JINNY.    [In    a    strained,    assumed,    nonchalant 
tone.]   What  is? 

RUTH.   Jinny ! 

[Rising. 

AUSTIN.   I  didn't  hear  you,  Jinny! 

JINNY.   No,  you  both  seemed  so  absorbed. 

RUTH.   [Going  to  JINNY.]  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you. 

[Kisses  her,  but  JINNY  only  gives  her  her  cheek 
and  that  rather  unwillingly;  she  is  looking 
all  the  time  at  her  husband. 

JINNY.   Thank  you,  I've  just  left  the  Culling- 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     107 

hams.  They  sent  word  to  you  they  were  going 
and  would  wait  for  you  outside. 

RUTH.  Oh,  then,  I  mustn't  keep  them  waiting. 
We'll  all  meet  at  dinner  to-night,  won't  we? 
Good-by  —  good-by. 

[With  a  grateful  look  at  AUSTIN,  she  goes  out 
Right. 

JINNY.  [Watches  her  go;  then  turns  to  AUSTIN.] 
That  wasn't  true,  what  I  told  her  —  I  haven't 
seen  the  Cullinghams,  and  I  don't  know  where 
they  are,  and  what's  more,  I  don't  care ! 

AUSTIN.   What  do  you  mean? 

JINNY.  [Beginning  by  degrees  to  lose  control 
oj  herself.]  What  did  she  mean  by  following  you 
to  Rome? 

AUSTIN.    Jinny ! 

JINNY.  Oh,  don't  try  to  deny  it ;  that'll  only 
make  me  suspect  you! 


io8     THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  My  dear  girl,  you  don't  know  what 
you're  saying ! 

JINNY.  She's  ill,  they  say  at  home!  Yes,  and 
they  don't  know  what's  the  matter  with  her,  do 
they  ?  No !  But  I  can  tell  them !  She's  in  love 
with  another  woman's  husband ! 

AUSTIN.  [Taking  her  hand.]  Hush!  I  won't 
allow  you  to  say  such  things! 

JINNY.  [With  a  disagreeable  little  laugh.]  Oh, 
won't  you  ?  You'd  better  be  careful,  —  my  eyes 
are  opened ! 

AUSTIN.   Yes,  and  much  too  wide. 

JINNY.  A  half-blind  person  would  have  known 
there  was  something  between  you  two.  When  I 
came  into  this  room  just  now,  it  was  in  the  air  — 
it  was  in  both  your  faces! 

[She  sits  on  the  bench. 

AUSTIN.   You've  worked  yourself  up  to  such  a 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES    109 

pitch   you're    not    responsible    for    what    you're 
saying ! 

JINNY.  /  not  responsible!  What  was  it  you 
were  saying  was  so  "awful"  when  I  came  in  here? 
"My  God,  so  awful!" 

[He  doesn't  answer. 
[Almost  hysterical,  she  rises. 
She  had  told  you  she  loved  you !     She'd  confessed 
she'd  followed  you  over  here ! 

AUSTIN.  Absolutely  false,  both  your  suppositions ! 

JINNY.  Oh,  of  course  you'd  protect  her ;  you're 
a  gentleman !  But  if  I  thought  you  knew  she  was 
coming  over  — 

AUSTIN.  Jinny!  Jinny!  How  can  you  have 
such  a  thought? 

JINNY.  Well,  why  didn't  you  tell  me  when 
you  thought  you  saw  her  a  little  while  ago  ? 

AUSTIN.   Oh  — 


I io     THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  Oh,  it's  very  easy  to  say  "Oh!" 
[Imitating  him.]  but  why  didn't  you? 

AUSTIN.  I  told  you  I  didn't  think  who  it  was; 
I  only  thought  something  familiar  flashed  across 
my  eyes.  Jinny  darling,  this  is  sheer  madness 
on  your  part,  letting  yourself  go  like  this.  It  has 
no  reason,  it  has  no  excuse !  Ask  your  own 
heart,  and  your  own  mind,  if  in  speaking  to  me 
as  you  have,  you  haven't  done  me  at  least  an 
injustice  and  my  love  for  you  a  little  wrong. 

JINNY.  Well,  I'm  sure  she's  in  love  with 
you,  anyway. 

AUSTIN.  No,  she  isn't!  And  it's  disgraceful 
of  you  to  say  so !  I  know  she  isn't  — 

JINNY.   How  do  you  know  she  isn't? 

AUSTIN.  There's  no  question  of  it.  I'm  sure 
of  it !  You  mustn't  think,  dear,  that  because  you 
love  me,  everybody  does  —  you  idealize  me ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    in 

[Smiling  apologetically. 

JINNY.  Oh,  you're  so  modest  you  don't  see ! 
but  I  do  —  on  the  steamer,  in  the  hotels,  every 
where  we  go,  always,  all  the  women  admire  you 
awfully!  I  see  it! 

AUSTIN.  [Laughing.]  What  utter  nonsense! 
[Taking  her  into  his  arms.}  You've  got  some 
thing  in  your  eyes! 

JINNY.    Only  tears ! 

AUSTIN.    No,  something  else,  —  something  green. 

JINNY.  [Laughs  through  her  tears.}  Somebody's 
told  you  my  old  nickname ! 

AUSTIN.   What? 

JINNY.  [Laughs  and  is  a  little  embarrassed.} 
The  girl  with  the  green  eyes. 

AUSTIN.   Ahem !  — 

JINNY.  Well,  I  don't  care  if  it  is  appropriate, 
I  can't  help  it. 


ii2     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE  GREEN  EYES 

[Slipping  from  his  arms. 

AUSTIN.  You  must  —  or  it  will  threaten  our 
happiness  if  you  let  yourself  be  carried  away  by 
jealousy  for  no  earthly  reason  outside  of  your 
dear,  little  imagination,  like  you  have  this  time  — 

[Interrupted. 

JINNY.  You  honestly  don't  think  she  cares  for 
you? 

AUSTIN.   Not  a  bit! 

JINNY.  But  what  was  it  you  were  so  serious 
about  —  what  is  between  you  ? 

AUSTIN.  She  is  in  a  little  trouble,  and  I  happen 
to  know  about  it. 

JINNY.   How? 

AUSTIN.  [After  a  second's  hesitation.]  That 
you  mustn't  ask  me;  it  was  not  from  her  I  knew 
of  it. 

JINNY.   Truly? 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    113 

AUSTIN.   Truly. 

JINNY.  I  don't  care,  she  hadn't  any  business 
to  go  to  you!  I  should  think  she'd  have  gone 
to  a  woman  instead  of  a  man  for  sympathy.  She's 
got  Mrs.  Cullingham ! 

AUSTIN.  She  can't  go  to  her,  poor  girl.  Mrs. 
Cullingham  knows  nothing  about  it. 

JINNY.  Now  don't  you  get  too  sympathetic 
—  that's  very  dangerous! 

AUSTIN.  Look  out,  your  imagination  is  peeping 
through  the  keyhole. 

[A  moment's  pause. 

JINNY.  [In  a  sympathetic  tone,  the  jealousy 
gone.]  What  is  her  trouble,  Jack? 

AUSTIN.   That,   dear,   I    can't    tell    you    now; 

some  day,  perhaps,  if  you  want  me  to,  but  not  now. 

Only  I  give  you  my  word  of  honor,  it  has  nothing 

to  do  with    you  and  me  —  does  not  touch  our 

i 


U4      THE    GIRL  WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

life !  And  I  want  you  to  tell  me  you  believe  me, 
and  trust  me,  and  won't  let  yourself  be  jealous 
again ! 

JINNY.  I  do  believe  you,  and  I  do  trust  you, 
and  I  will  try  not  to  be  jealous  again ! 

AUSTIN.   That's  right. 

JINNY.  You  know  that  book  of  De  Maupassant's 
[They  move  away  together.]  I  was  reading  in  the 
train  the  other  day,  —  about  the  young  girl  who 
killed  herself  with  charcoal  fumes  when  her 
lover  deserted  her? 

AUSTIN.  [Half  laughing.]  This  is  apropos  of 
what,  please?  I  have  absolutely  no  sympathy 
with  such  people. 

JINNY.  In  America  that  girl  would  have  simply 
turned  on  the  gas. 

AUSTIN.    You're  getting  morbid,   Jinny! 

JINNY.   No,  I'm  not!  but  if  ever  — 


THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     115 

AUSTIN.  [Interrupting  —  laughing  it  oft].  I 
shall  install  electric  light  as  soon  as  we  get 
home ! 

[They  both  laugh. 

JINNY.  I'm  sorry  I  was  so  disagreeable  to 
Ruth,  but  I'll  try  to  make  up  for  it  in  every  way 
I  can. 

[She  sits  on  the  bench  and  he  leans  over  the  back 
toward  her. 

AUSTIN.  There's  one  other  thing,  Jinny,  I'd 
like  to  speak  of  now.  Would  you  mind  giving 
up  the  Lakes  and  going  home  this  week? 

JINNY.    Going  home  —  at  once  ? 

AUSTIN.  Yes  —  Wall  Street  is  very  uncertain. 
I'm  worried,  —  I  don't  mind  telling  you,  —  and 
I  want  to  see  Geoffrey  about  his  business. 

JINNY.  [Half  in  earnest.]  Jack!  You're  not 
running  away  from  her,  are  you? 


ii6     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.    Jinny!     After  all  we've  said! 

JINNY.  No!  I  wasn't  in  earnest!  I'm  ready 
to  go.  I've  seen  the  Lakes,  and  whether  you 
are  in  Italy  or  in  New  York,  so  long  as 
we  are  together,  it's  our  honeymoon  just  the 
same. 

AUSTIN.   And  may  it  last  all  our  lives  I 

JINNY.  Still,  I  don't  mind  owning  up  that 
leaving  Ruth  Chester  behind  here  is  rather  pleas- 
anter!  [She  rises  quickly  with  a  sudden  thought.] 
She  is  not  going  back,  too? 

AUSTIN.  Oh,  no,  not  for  a  long  time.  They 
are  over  here  indefinitely. 

JINNY.  I've  been  too  horrid  and  nasty  for 
words  this  morning,  Jack  —  I'm  so  sorry. 

AUSTIN.   It's  over  and  forgotten  now. 

JINNY.   You  do  forgive  me? 

AUSTIN.    Of  course,  dear;  only  I  wrant  to  say 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     117 

this  one  thing  to  you:   to  suspect  unjustly  a  true 
love  is  to  insult  that  love! 

JINNY.   I  didn't  really  suspect  you. 
AUSTIN.    Of  course  I  know  you  didn't;  this  is 
only  by  way  of  a  grandfatherly  warning!     It  is 
possible  to  insult  a  true  love  too  often  —  and  love 
can  die  — 

JINNY.   Sh !  don't,  please,  say  any  more.     You 
have  forgiven  me,  haven't  you? 

AUSTIN.   Yes' 

JINNY.   Then  kiss  me! 

AUSTIN.   [Smiling.}   Here!    My  dear,  some  one 
will  see  us ! 

JINNY.   No,   only  Apollo;  see,   there's  no  one 
else  about  —  it's  luncheon  hour ! 

AUSTIN.   But  —  [Taking  her  hand. 

f\ 

JINNY.   [Pulling  him.]   Come  along,  then,   be 
hind  the  statue.     No  one  will  see  us  there ! 


ii8     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

[They  are  behind  the  statue  a  moment  and  then 
come  around  the  other  side. 

JINNY.  There !  no  one  saw  us,  and  I'm  so 
happy,  are  you? 

AUSTIN.   "So  happy!" 

[JINNY  takes  his  arm  and  they  go  to  the  Left 
entrance.  She  stops  and  looks  up  at  him. 

JINNY.   Are  my  eyes  green  now? 

AUSTIN.   Now  they're  blue! 

JINNY.  Hurrah !  and  I'm  going,  from  new  on, 
to  be  so  good,  you  won't  know  me. 

[And  hugging  his  arm  tight  tJiey  go  out  as  — 

THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


ACT  III 

(Three  weeks  later) 

The  Austins1  library;    a  warm,   attractive  room, 
with  dark  woodwork,  and  the  walls  hung  in  crim 
son  brocade;  Dutch  marqueterie  furniture;    blue 
and  white  china  on  the  mantel  and  tops  of  the 
book   shelves;    carbon    photographs    of    pictures 
by  Reynolds,  Ronney,  and  Gainsborough  on  the 
wall.     There  is  a  double  window  at  the  back. 
A  door  at  Right  leads  to  the  hall,  and  another 
on  the  Left  side  of  the  room  leads  to  JINNY'S  own 
room.     MRS.  TILLMAN  sits  at  a  pianola  Right, 
playing  "  Tell  me,  Pretty  Maiden";  she  stops  once 
in  a  while,    showing  that  she  is  unaccustomed 
to   the   instrument.       JINNY    enters    from   Left, 
singing    as  her  mother  plays. 


1 19 


120      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.    Darling  mother! 

[She  puts  her  arms  about  her  and  kisses  her. 

[They  come  away  from  the  pianola  together,  to 
a  big  arm-chair. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  I  really  must  get  one  of  those 
sewing-machine  pianos  for  your  father.  I  believe 
even  he  could  play  it,  and  it  would  be  lots  of 
amusement  for  us. 

JINNY.  Jack  adores  it;  I  gave  it  to  him  for  an 
anniversary  present. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   What  anniversary? 

[Sitting  in  the  chair. 

JINNY.  Day  before  yesterday.  The  eleventh 
Tuesday  since  our  marriage.  Have  you  been  in 
town  all  day?  I  am  glad  to  see  you! 

[She  sits  on  the  arm  of  the  chair  with  her  arm 
about  her  mother. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Yes,  and  I  told  your  father  to 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    121 

meet  me  here  and  we'd  take  the  six-thirty  train 
from  Long  Island  City. 

JINNY.  Jack  and  I  are  going  to  the  theatre 
to-night. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  I  thought  they  were  all 
closed ! 

JINNY.  Oh,  no,  there  are  several  musical 
comedies  on,  —  Jack's  favorite  form  of  amuse 
ment,  —  and  I've  bought  the  tickets  myself  for 
a  sort  of  birthday  party. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Is  it  his  birthday? 

JINNY.   No,  that's  only  my  excuse! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [Laughing.]  Had  we  dreamed 
you  and  Jack  were  coming  home  in  June,  your 
father  and  I  wouldn't  have  gone  into  the  country 
so  early. 

JINNY.  We've  been  home  two  weeks  and  it  hasn't 
been  hot  yet. 


122     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   And  you're  still  ideally  happy 
aren't  you,  darling? 

JINNY.   Yes  — 

[She  rises  and  goes  to  a  table  near  the  centre 
oj  the  room  and  looks  at  the  titles  oj  several 
books  without  realizing  what  they  are. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Why,  Jinny,  —  what  does  that 
mean? 

JINNY.   Oh,  it's  all  my  horrid  disposition! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Been  seeing  green? 

JINNY.  Um !  Um !  Once  in  Rome,  and  on  the 
steamer,  and  again  since  we've  been  back. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Nothing  serious? 

JINNY.  [Hesitatingly,  she  turns  and  /aces  her 
mother.]  No  —  but  the  last  time  Jack  was  harder 
to  bring  around  than  before,  and  he  looked  at 
me  for  fully  five  minutes  without  a  particle  of  love 
in  his  eyes,  and  they  were  almost  —  dead  eyes ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    123 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   What  was  it  all  about? 

JINNY.   Ruth  Chester,  principally. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Why  Ruth? 

JINNY.  Well,  the  first  real  scene  I  made  was  in 
Rome  in  the  Vatican.  I  was  jealous  of  her;  I 
can't  explain  it  all  to  you  —  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
it  hasn't  been  all  explained  to  me!  Something 
was  troubling  Ruth  that  Jack  knew,  and  he  said 
he'd  help  her. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   What? 

JINNY.  That's  just  it;  Jack  won't  tell  me. 
And  the  day  we  sailed  from  Naples  a  telegram 
came,  and  of  course  I  opened  it,  and  it  said, 
"  Trust  me,  I  will  do  everything  you  say. 
Ruth." 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Why  haven't  you  told  me  any 
thing  of  all  this  before,  dear? 

JINNY.    [Going    back    to    her    mother. ]   I    was 


124     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

ashamed  to !  Somehow,  in  the  end  I  always  knew 
I  was  wrong  and  had  hurt  him  —  hurt  him 
terribly,  mother,  the  man  I  love  better  than 
everything  else  in  the  world !  Yes,  even  better 
than  you  and  father  and  Geoffrey  —  all  together ! 
[In  her  mother's  arms,  crying  a  little. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Oh,  this  curse  of  jealousy! 
I  was  in  hopes  he  was  so  strong  he  would  help 
you  to  overcome  it. 

JINNY.  He  does  try  hard,  I  can  see  sometimes; 
but  he  hasn't  a  spark  of  it  in  him,  and  he  can't 
understand  it,  and  I  know  I'm  unreasonable,  and 
before  I  know  it  I  am  saying  things  I  don't 
know  what,  and  some  day  he  won't  forgive  them ! 
I'm  sure  some  day  he  won't !  — 

[Breaking  down  again. 
[She  rises  and  turns  away. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   [Rising  and  putting  her  arms 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES    125 

about  her.]  Come,  dear!  Now  you're  getting  your 
self  all  unstrung,  and  that  won't  do  you  any 
good;  you've  got  to  fight  this  battle  out,  I'm 
afraid,  by  yourself,  trusting  in  the  deep  love  of 
your  husband  to  teach  him  forbearance.  Your 
father's  and  my  troubles  were  never  very  big 
because  we  shared  the  curse,  so  we  knew  how  to 
sympathize  with  each  other! 

JINNY.   What  an  awful  thing  it  is! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Yes,  my  dear  child.  Jealousy 
has  no  saving  grace,  and  it  only  destroys  what  is 
always  most  precious  to  you.  Jinny,  don't  let 
it  destroy  your  best  happiness! 

JINNY.   Mother,  if  it  should,  I'd  kill  myself! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [Shocked,  but  quite  disbelieving 
her.]  My  dear ! 

[MAGGIE  enters  Right. 

MAGGIE.   Mr.   Tillman  is  downstairs,  madam. 


126     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Tell  him  to  come  up. 
MAGGIE.   Yes,  madam. 

[She  goes  out  Right. 

JINNY.   Don't  tell  father  anything  before  me. 
MRS.  TILLMAN.   I  don't  know  that  I  shall  tell 
him  at  all;    he  would  only  advise  more  cigars! 

[TILLMAN  enters  Right. 
[MRS.  TILLMAN  sits  on  the  sofa  at  Left. 
TILLMAN.   Are  you  here? 

JINNY.  [Going  to  meet  him.}  We  are,  father 
dear,  and  your  presence  almost  completes  us. 
[Kisses  him.]  I  say  almost,  because  Jack  hasn't 
come  up  town  yet,  and  Geoffrey's  heartless  enough 
to  stay  on  fishing  at  Cape  Cod ! 
TILLMAN.  No,  he  isn't;  he's  back  to-day. 

[He  sits  in  the  arm-chair  at  Right. 
JINNY.    Oh,  I  do  want  to  see  him! 

[Sitting  near  her  father. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     127 

TILLMAN.  He  ought  to  have  been  in  by  now  — 
I  met  them  this  morning.  He  was  to  lunch  with 
Jack,  and  he's  going  to  put  up  for  a  few  days  at 
the  University. 

JINNY.   He  must  dine  with  us  every  night. 

TILLMAN.  Jinny !  —  [Looking  at  her.]  —  You 
look  as  if  you've  been  crying! 

[The  two  WOMEN  are  embarrassed,  and  JINNY 
doesn't  reply. 

TILLMAN.  [Hurt.]  Oh,  if  you  prefer  to  have 
secrets  from  your  father,  it's  all  right !  /  don't  be 
grudge  your  mother  her  first  place  in  your  affections  ! 

JINNY.  Not  at  all,  father ;  with  you  and  mother 
there's  no  first  place.  She  will  tell  you  all  about 
it  on  the  way  home!  Please,  mother. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Very  well,  dear. 

TILLMAN.  A  little  " scrap"  between  you  and 
Jack? 


128     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.   Yes,  but  it's  all  over! 
TILLMAN.    Um !  —  [Thinks  a  second,  then  tak 
ing  out  his  cigar  case,  he  empties  it  of  cigars 
and  hands  them  to  JINNY.]   Give  your  husband 
these,  please,  when  he  comes  in! 

[JINNY  and  her  MOTHER  exchange  a  smile. 
JINNY.    But,  father,  Jack's  got  boxes  full  — 
TILLMAN.   Never  mind;    give  him  those,  from 
me,  with  my  compliments! 

JINNY.    [Laughing.]  Very  well! 
TILLMAN.   How  are  you  and  Maggie  getting  on  ? 
JINNY.   Splendidly. 
MRS.  TILLMAN.    Such  a  nice  girl! 
JINNY.    And   wasn't  it   odd   Jack   was   bitterly 
opposed  to  my  taking  her? 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  My  dear,  if  we  hadn't  lent 
her  to  you  for  these  few  weeks,  you  wouldn't 
have  got  anybody  decent  for  so  short  a  time. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     129 

TILLMAN.    Why  didn't  Jack  want  her  to  come? 

JINNY.  I  don't  know,  he  just  didn't  want  her; 
and  then  last  week  he  talked  with  her  in  the 
library  for  three-quarters  of  an  hour  by  my  watch. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.   Why? 

JINNY.  Oh,  it  seems  she  has  troubles,  too !  All 
single  young  women  with  troubles,  of  no  matter 
what  class,  seem  to  make  a  bee  line  for  my  hus 
band,  even  if  they  have  to  cross  the  ocean ! 

TILLMAN.   What  do  you  mean? 

JINNY.  [Half  laughing.]  Oh,  nothing,  but  it 
was  about  that  talk  with  Maggie  that  we  had  our 
last  quarrel. 

[MAGGIE  enters  Right. 

MAGGIE.   Mrs.  Cullingham. 

[A    second's    dead    silence,    the    announcement 
jailing  like  a  bombshell. 

JINNY.   [Astounded.]   Who? 


130     THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

[She  rises. 

TlLLMAN    AND    MRS.    TlLLMAN.     Who? 

MAGGIE.   Mrs.  Cullingham  and  her  son,  madam. 

JINNY.   They're  in  Europe. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Are  you  sure  you're  not  mis 
taken,  Maggie? 

MAGGIE.  Oh,  yes'm.  Even  if  you  could  mis 
take  Mrs.  Cullingham,  you  couldn't  mistake 
Mr.  Peter! 

JINNY.   Ask  them  to  please  come  up,  Maggie. 

MAGGIE.   Yes'm. 

[She  goes  out  Right. 

TILLMAN.  Why,  they  only  just  sailed  the  other 
day,  didn't  they? 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  Yes,  and  they  were  supposed 
to  be  gone  all  summer  at  least,  for  Ruth  Chester's 
health!  What  in  the  world  can  they  have  come 
back  for? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    131 

JINNY.   [With   curious   determination.]   That   is 
what  /  intend  to  find  out. 

TILLMAN.    [Rising.]   We  must  be  going,  Susan; 
we've  lost  our  train  as  it  is. 

MRS.     TILLMAN.   [Rising.]   We    can    take  the 
seven-two. 

[MAGGIE    shows    in    MRS.    CULLINGHAM    and 

PETER.     PETER    shakes    hands    with    MRS. 

TILLMAN,  then  with   JINNY,   and   then  with 

MR.  TILLMAN. 

[MRS.  CULLINGHAM  kisses  MRS.  TILLMAN  and 

shakes  hands  with  MR.  TILLMAN. 
MRS.    CULLINGHAM.    Jinny,   you   angel,   aren't 
you  surprised! 

[Kissing  her. 
JINNY.   Well,  rather! 

MRS.    CULLINGHAM.   Well,    you    aren't   a   bit 
more  surprised  than  I  am.     [A  clock  strikes  six- 


132     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

thirty.}      There   goes   the    half  hour,   Peter;  you 
must   take   your  powder. 

PETER.  I  beg  your  pardon,  mother;  it's  the 
tablet  now. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Excuse  me,  dear,  I'm  so 
dead  tired. 

[Sits  on  the  so /a. 

JINNY.    [To  Peter.]   Will  you  have  some  water? 

PETER.  No,  thank  you,  I've  learned  now  to 
take  them  an  naturel,  and  without  much,  if  any, 
inconvenience ! 

[Takes  his  tablet  with  still  a  certain  amount  of 
difficulty,  and  sits  Right. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [To  MRS.  CULLINGHAM.]  Did 
you  have  a  bad  voyage? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   No,  perfectly  beautiful! 

PETER.  [Reproachfully,  and  with  a  final  swallow.] 
Oh,  mother! 


THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     133 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Except,  of  course,  for  poor 
Peter ;  he  gets  worse  every  trip !  He  can  eat 
absolutely  nothing  —  that  is  /or  long!  But  it's 
the  Custom  House  that's  worn  me  out;  I  was  there 
from  twelve  till  four. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  But  you  wouldn't  have  had 
time  to  buy  anything! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Of  course  not!  But  I 
took  plenty  of  new  dresses  for  the  entire  summer; 
most  of  them  hadn't  been  worn,  and  they  were 
determined  to  make  me  pay  duty. 

JINNY.  We  had  to  pay  awfully  for  things!  I 
wanted  to  try  and  smuggle,  but  Jack  wouldn't 
let  me! 

MR.  TILLMAN.   I'm  afraid  we  must  go! 

[ALL  rise. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  What  do  you  think  the 
Inspector  had  the  impudence  to  ask  me  finally, 


134     THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

—  if  I  wanted  to  bring  the  dresses  in  as  theatrical 
properties ! 

[They  laugh. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  You  must  have  some  gorgeous 
frocks ! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Oh,  there  are  some  pail 
lettes!  But  who  do  you  suppose  he  took  me 
for  —  Sarah  Bernhardt ! 

TILLMAN.  [Looking  at  his  watch.]  I  don't  wish 
to  interrupt  this  vital  political  conversation,  but, 
Susan,  if  you  don't  want  to  miss  the  seven-two 
train,  too  — ! 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [Rising.]  Oh,  no,  we  mustn't 
do  that.  Good-by.  [To  MRS.  CULLINGHAM, 
shaking  hands.]  It's  nice  to  see  you  again,  any 
way.  Is  Ruth  better? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I'm  sorry  to  say  —  I 
don't  think  she  is  —  good-by. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     135 

[To  MR.  TILLMAN,  who  says  good-by  —  general 
good-bys. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.  [To  JINNY.]  You  want  me 
to  tell  your  father? 

JINNY.  Yes,  it's  better;  it  does  make  him  jealous 
if  he  thinks  I  tell  you  things  and  keep  secrets 
from  him. 

TILLMAN.    Good-by,  Peter. 

MRS.  TILLMAN.    Good-by,  Peter. 

PETER.    By-by. 

[MR.  and  MRS.  TILLMAN  quickly  go  out  Right, 
JINNY  going  to  the  door  with  them. 

JINNY.  [Coming  back  from  doorway.]  Now 
do  tell  me  what  it  means.  I  thought  you 
were  abroad  indefinitely,  or  for  the  summer  at 
least. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  So  did  I!  I'm  just  as 
surprised  to  be  here  as  you  seem  to  be!  [They 


136     THE    GIRL    WITH    THE    GREEN  EYES 

sit  down  near  each  otJicr.]  Didn't  you  really 
know  we  were  coming? 

JINNY.   No!     How  should  I? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I  don't  know  —  I  thought— 

[She  hesitates,  embarrassed. 

[After  a  pause. 

JINNY.   What  did  you  think? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Nothing,  except  that  you 
must  know  we  were  coming  home. 

JINNY.    Why  —  that  /  must  ? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  You  mustn't  put  me  into 
a  corner  like  that! 

JINNY.  How  do  you  mean  "corner"?  How 
did  you  happen  to  come  home  like  this? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Ruth  suddenly  got  a  cable 
—  she  didn't  tell  me  from  whom  —  but  she  said 
she  must  go  home  at  once. 

JINNY.   But  her  mother's  never  been  better! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     137 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  [Carelessly.}  The  cable 
wasn't  from  her  mother. 

JINNY.  Oh,  then,  you  know  who  it  was  from? 
[No  answer}  Oh,  I  see  now  why  you  thought  I 
ought  to  know  about  it;  the  cable  was  from  Jack, 
wasn't  it? 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.    [Relieved.]  Yes. 

JINNY.    Oh,  it  was! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I  looked  at  it  when  she 
was  out  of  the  room;  of  course,  it  was  sort  of  by 
accident  —  [Very  much  embarrassed.]  —  that  is, 
I  just  happened  to  see  —  O  dear,  there !  You 
know  what  I  mean;  it  was  dreadful  of  me,  but 
I  couldn't  help  it. 

JINNY.  [In  a  strained  voice]  Jack  and  Ruth 
are  very  good  friends  and  he  looks  after  some  of 
her  affairs.  You  know  having  no  man  in  the 
family  complicates  things. 


138     THE    GIRL  WITH   THE  GREEN  EYES 

PETER.   Oh!    I  say! 

[Standing  up,  suddenly. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.    What  is  it,  dear? 

PETER.  I  believe  I  haven't  got  my  before-dinner 
tabs. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Oh,  look  carefully! 

PETER.  [He  looks  in  his  right-hand  pocket, 
takes  out  a  bottle.]  Soda  mints!  [From  his  left- 
hand  pocket  a  box.]  Alkali  powders !  [From  third 
pocket  a  bottle.]  Charcoal  tablets!  [From  jourth 
pocket  another  bottle.}  Dr.  Man's  Positive  Cure! 
[From  fifth  pocket  a  box.]  Bicarbonate  soda! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  There's  your  other  side 
pocket ! 

PETER.  That's  my  saccharine  [Showing  bottle.] 
and  my  lithia  tabs.  [Showing  another  bottle.] 
We'll  have  to  go,  mother ;  I've  left  them 
home ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     139 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  We  must  go,  anyway,  my 
dear. 

[Rising. 
[JiNNY  also  rises. 

PETER.  [Suddenly  claps  his  hand  behind  him 
and  speaks  joyfully.}  No,  we  needn't  go  after  all; 
I  forgot  my  hip  pocket.  Here  they  are! 

[Bringing  them  out.. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  We  must  go  all  the  same ! 
[To  JINNY.]  Sometimes  I  think  he  takes  too  much 
medicine  stuff ! 

JINNY.  I  should  think  so!  Peter,  you  ought 
to  diet. 

PETER.  I  can't!  I've  tried,  and  I  lose  my 
appetite  right  away! 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  Good-by,  dear.  How 
long  will  you  be  in  town? 

JINNY.   I  don't  know — several  weeks,  I  imagine. 


140     THE    GIRL   WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

Jack  came  home  on  some  business,  you  know, 
and  I  don't  think  it's  settled  yet.     Good-by. 

[To  PETER. 

PETER.  Good-by.  You  know  you  mustn't 
drink  water  with  your  meals;  that's  the  great 
thing.  So  I  drink  only  champagne. 

[He  goes  out  Right. 

MRS.     CULLINGHAM.     [Waits     and    speaks     to 
JINNY   with   real  feeling.]   I'm   awfully  ashamed 
of  myself,  and  I  hope  I  haven't  made  any  trouble 
or  fuss  with  my  meddling.     Don't  let  me! 
JINNY.   No,  of  course  not. 

[With  a  strained  smile. 

MRS.  CULLINGHAM.  I  wish  I  could  believe 
you. 

JINNY.   Well,  do. 
MRS.  CULLINGHAM.   Good-by. 

[She  goes  out  Right. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     141 

JINNY.  Good-by.  Where's  that  telegram  that 
came  for  him  a  little  while  ago?  [Going  to  the 
desk  at  Right,  and  finding  the  telegram.}  Of 
course  it's  from  her,  saying  that  she's  arrived. 
That's  the  trouble  with  telegrams;  the  address 
doesn't  give  the  handwriting  away.  She  must 
have  sent  it  from  the  dock !  Couldn't  even  wait 
till  she  was  home !  [She  walks  to  the  window 
and  stands  there  a  moment,  then  comes  lack,  look 
ing  at  her  watch.}  Nearly  seven  already,  and  no 
sign  of  him,  and  we  must  dress  and  dine  —  huh ! 
I  think  I  might  as  well  tear  up  my  theatre  tickets ! 
[She  paces  up  and  down  the  room,  stopping  now 
and  then  with  each  new  thought  that  comes  to 
her.}  I  wonder  if  he  went  down  there  to  meet  her 
— he  must  have  known  the  boat ;  if  he  cabled  her 
to  come  back,  she  must  have  cabled  an  answer 
and  what  boat  she'd  take  !  But  no  other  telegram 


142     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

has  come  for  Jack  here  to  my  knowledge  —  oh ! 
of  course,  what  am  I  thinking  of,  she  sent  that 
one  to  his  office  to-day;  she  was  afraid  he  might 
have  left  before  this  one  could  get  there,  so  she 
risked  it  here.  Good  Heavens !  why  am  I  maud- 
ling  on  like  this  to  myself  out  loud?  It's  really 
nothing  —  Jack  will  explain  once  more  that  he 
can't  explain,  but  that  Ruth  has  "  troubles,"  and 
I'll  believe  him  again!  But  I  won't!  He  prom 
ised  me  she  should  stay  over  there !  [Looks  at 
her  watch  again.}  He's  there,  with  her !  Nothing 
ever  kept  him  half  as  late  down  town  as  this ! 
What  a  little  fool  I  am! 

[GEOFFREY  enters  suddenly  Right. 

JINNY.    [Cries   out,    joyfully.]   Geoffrey!     [And 

rushing  to  him,  embraces  him.}     You  brute,  you, 

not  to  come  straight  back  to  New  York  when  you 

heard  I  was  home!     You  dear  old  darling,  you! 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     143 

GEOFFREY.  I  couldn't,  old  girl;  there  were 
reasons  — I  don't  have  to  tell  you  I  wanted 
to. 

JINNY.  I  don't  know!  Was  there  a  pretty 
girl  up  there,  Geof?  I'm  sure  I  shouldn't  think 
her  pretty  if  you  were  in  love  with  her.  I  believe 
I  shall  be  awfully  jealous  of  your  wife  when  you 

get  one! 

« 
GEOFFREY.   Rubbish !    Hasn't  Jack  come  back 

yet? 

JINNY.   "Come  back"  from  where? 

GEOFFREY.   Brooklyn. 

JINNY.  Brooklyn!  Why,  he  told  me — what 
did  he  go  there  for? 

GEOFFREY.  [Embarrassed.]  I  don't  know  if  you 
don't  - 

JINNY.   You  do!! 

GEOFFREY.   No  —  really  —  I  — 


144     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  Oh,  it's  something  to  be  concealed, 
then? 

GEOFFREY.  Hang  it,  Jinny !  drop  the  subject. 
I  thought  he  said  he  was  going  to  Brooklyn; 
probably  I  was  mistaken. 

JINNY.  [Satiric-ally.}  One  is  so  apt  to  think 
just  casually  that  every  one's  going  to  Brooklyn  ! 
[Looks  at  her  watch.}  Of  course  it's  Brooklyn. 
[Goes  and  looks  at  the  telegram;  turns.]  So 
you're  going  back  on  me,  too,  are  you?  You're 
going  to  protect  Jack  at  my  expense ! 

[AUSTIN  enters  Right. 

AUSTIN.    [Absorbed.]   Good  evening,  Jinny  dear. 

JINNY.   It's  after  seven ! 

AUSTIN.  [Pleasantly.]  Is  it?  Have  you  been 
waiting  long,  Geoffrey? 

GEOFFREY.   No,  I've  only  just  now  come  in. 

JINNY.   It's  7  who  have  done  the  waiting! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     145 

AUSTIN.    I'm  sorry,  but  it  couldn't  be  helped. 

JINNY.  You  didn't  tell  me  you  were  going  to 
Brooklyn. 

AUSTIN.  [After  a  quick,  sharp  look  at  Geoffrey, 
who  shakes  his  head  once  emphatically.]  It  must 
have  escaped  my  mind. 

JINNY.  That's  very  likely!  Going  to  Brook 
lyn's  the  sort  of  thing  one  talks  about  and  dreads 
for  days. 

AUSTIN.  Well,  Jinny,  that  will  bear  postpone 
ment,  and  my  conversation  with  Geoffrey  won't; 
will  you  please  leave  us  together  here  for  a  while  ? 

JINNY.   And  what  about  the  theatre? 

AUSTIN.   What  theatre? 

JINNY.  Oh,  you've  forgotten  entirely  my  little 
birthday  party !  Thanks ! 

AUSTIN.  Oh,  Jinny  1  I  did!  Forgive  me!  I'm 
awfully  sorry !  I've  got  a  lot  on  my  mind  to-day. 
L 


I46     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

[Tries  to  put  his  arms  about  her  and  kiss  her. 
She  pushes  herself  away  from  him,  refusing 
to  let  him  kiss  her. 

JINNY.  Yes  —  I  know  you  have  —  [At  door 
Le/t.]  —  I'll  leave  you  two  to  your  confidences. 
You  can  trust  Geof ;  he  just  now  refused  to  betray 
you. 

[AUSTIN  only  looks  at  her  fixedly,  seriously. 
She  looks  back  at  him  with  bravado.  Then 
she  deliberately  crosses  the  room,  gets  the 
cable,  and  recrosses  with  it  and  goes  out 
Left. 

AUSTIN.  Poor  Jinny !  [Turning  to  GEOFFREY.] 
and  that,  too,  lies  largely  on  your  already  over 
crowded  shoulders. 

GEOFFREY.  [Breaking  down.]  I  know !  I 
know ! 

AUSTIN.   [Sitting    in    the    corner    of   the    so/ a.] 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     147 

Here,  don't  cry!  You've  got  to  be  strong  now, 
and  you've  no  use  nor  time  for  crying.  I've 
had  another  long  interview  with  the  Brooklyn 
minister. 

GEOFFREY.   Yes?  — 

AUSTIN.  [Drawing  a  chair  near  to  him  and 
sitting.]  Well,  of  course  we  both  know  that  he's 
doing  wrong  to  keep  silent,  but  he  will.  He 
wishes  I  hadn't  told  him,  because  he  thinks  he'd 
never  have  noticed  your  divorce  from  Maggie 
when  it  was  granted  —  nor  remembered  your 
name  if  he  had  seen  it  in  the  papers. 

GEOFFREY.   That's  what  I  told  you! 

AUSTIN.  You  only  argued  that  for  fear  I'd 
insist  on  your  going  to  this  minister  yourself.  But 
in  the  bottom  of  your  heart  you  know  it  was  a 
risk  we  couldn't  afford  to  run.  I've  explained 
everything  to  him  —  how  such  a  fine,  sweet  girl 


I48     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

would  suffer  if  he  did  expose  you,  and  I  gave  him 
my  word  you  would  be  remarried  to  Ruth  at  once 
after  the  divorce.  Of  course  we  both  know  it's 
wrong,  but  we  both  hope  the  end  justifies  the 
means  that  removes  difficulty  number  two. 

GEOFFREY.   You're  sure  about  Maggie? 

AUSTIN.  She's  signed  a  paper;  she  realizes 
you'll  never  live  with  her,  and  —  it's  pathetic  - 
she  loves  you  —  that  girl,  too  —  so  much  as  to  give 
you  your  freedom  —  Good  Lord !  what  is  it  about 
you  weak  men  that  wins  women  so?  What  is 
it  in  you  that  has  made  two  women  love  you  to 
such  a  self-sacrificing  extent? 

GEOFFREY.   [Half    tragic,    halj    comic    laugh.} 
I  give  it  up ! 

AUSTIN.   [Bitterly.]   So    do    I.     Well,    Maggie 
is  to  have  six  hundred  dollars  a  year. 

GEOFFREY.   Where'll  I  get  it? 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     149 

AUSTIN.  We'll  talk  about  that  when  the 
time  comes.  [He  rises.]  Now  the  most  im 
portant,  the  most  painful,  task  of  all  must  be 
done  and  you  must  do  it.  Not  I  this  time  — 
you! 

GEOFFREY.   [Looking    up,    frightened.]   What? 

AUSTIN.    Ruth  Chester  landed  this  morning. 

GEOFFREY.   [Starting  up.]  Impossible! 

[Rising. 

AUSTIN.  The  moment  Maggie  signed  my  paper 
I  cabled  Miss  Chester  to  return.  You  can't  go 
out  west  and  institute  proceedings  for  divorce 
without  her  knowing  the  whole  truth  from  you 
first !  You  don't  want  her  to  find  it  out  from  the 
newspapers,  do  you? 

GEOFFREY.     And  you  want  me  to  tell  her? 

AUSTIN.  To-day.  And  to-morrow  you  start 
west ! 


1 5o     THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

GEOFFREY.    [Facing  AUSTIN.]   I  won' I  tell  her! 

AUSTIN.    [Calmly.]   You've  got  to! 

GEOFFREY.  I'd  rather  shoot  myself;  do  you 
understand  me  —  I'd  rather  shoot  myself ! 

AUSTIN.  That's  nothing !  That  would  be  de 
cidedly  the  easiest  course  out  of  it,  and  the  most 
cowardly. 

GEOFFREY.  She'll  hate  me!  She'll  loathe  me! 
How  could  she  help  it  at  first!  But  just  after  a 
little,  if  I  weren't  there,  the  love  she  has  for  me 
might  move  her  somehow  or  other  —  and  by 
degrees  perhaps  —  to  forgive  — 

AUSTIN.  I  don't  deny  that  you  will  have  to  go 
through  a  terrible  degradation  with  her  —  but 
that  is  nothing  compared  with  what  you  deserve. 
If  you  tell  her,  at  least  the  humiliation  is  secret, 
locked  there  between  you  two,  and  no  one  else 
in  the  world  can  ever  know  what  happens;  but 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     151 

if  you  send  some  one  else,  and  no  matter  who,  — 
any  one  else  but  you  is  an  outsider,  —  you  ask  her 
to  make  a  spectacle  of  her  humiliation,  to  let  a 
third  in  as  witness  to  the  relations  and  emotions 
between  you  two!  It's  insulting  her  again! 
Don't  you  see? 

[A  pause. 

GEOFFREY.  Yes,    I    see!     My    God!     I    must 
tell  her  myself. 

AUSTIN.    That's  right,   don't  waver,  make  up 
your  mind  and  do  it  —  Come ! 

[Urging  him  up. 

GEOFFREY.    [Hesitates  a  moment.]    And  Jinny? 

AUSTIN.    Oh,  she'll  come  round  all  right;  she 
always  does. 

GEOFFREY.   And  she  doesn't  suspect? 

AUSTIN.   Not  the  slightest. 

[A  pause. 


152     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

GEOFFREY.   Need  she? 

AUSTIN.   The   worst?    No,   never! 

GEOFFREY.  [He  rises,  with  new  encouragement.] 
You'll  give  me  your  word? 

AUSTIN.  Yes.  [Shakes  his  hand.}  I  know  how 
much  she  loves  you;  7  wouldn't  have  her  know 
anything.  It's  made  us  some  ugly  scenes,  but 
they  soon  pass,  and  when  you  are  once  out  of  your 
trouble  for  good,  we'll  have  no  excuse,  I'm  sure, 
for  any  more ! 

GEOFFREY.  Then  I  shall  go  to  bed  to-night 
with  the  respect  still  of  at  least  two  women  who  are 
dear  to  me,  my  mother  and  Jinny,  even  if  I  lose 
the  respect  and  love  of  the  one  woman  who  is 
dearer!  Only  think,  Jack,  how  I've  got  to  stand 
up  there  —  never  mind  about  myself  —  and  make 
her  suffer  tortures!  Good-by.  God  give  me  cour 
age  to  do  the  heart-breaking  thing  I  must  do. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     153 

AUSTIN.  I  am  sure  the  one  hope  you  have  of 
forgiveness  is  in  your  manliness  of  going  to  her 
as  you  are  doing  and  telling  her  yourself  all  the 
truth ! 

GEOFFREY.  And  that,  like  everything  else,  I 
owe  to  you. 

AUSTIN.   No,  to  Jinny!    Good  luck! 

[He  shakes  GEOFFREY'S  hand  and  GEOFFREY 
goes  out  Right. 

AUSTIN.  [Goes  to  the  door  Left,  opens  it,  and 
calls  to  JINNY,  in  the  next  room.]  Jinny,  Geoffrey's 
gone,  —  what  are  you  doing  ? 

JINNY.  [Answers  in  a  very  little  staccato  voice.] 
Waiting  till  you  should  have  the  leisure  to  receive 
me! 

AUSTIN.   Come  along! 

[Leaves  the  doorway. 

[JiNNY  enters  Left  and  stands  in  the  doorway. 


154     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  [With  affected  nonchalance.]  I  didn't 
care  to  go  downstairs  for  dinner,  so  I  have 
had  a  tray  up  here.  Maggie  brought  up 
something  for  you,  too;  would  you  like  it 
now? 

AUSTIN.  [Ignoring  purposely  her  mood  and 
manner.]  I  shouldn't  mind!  I  do  feel  a  little 
hungry. 

[He  sits  in  the  arm-chair. 
JINNY.     [Speaks     off      through     the     doorway 
Left.]     Bring     in     the     tray     for    Mr.     Austin, 
Maggie. 

MAGGIE.  [Off  stage.]  Yes'm. 
[JiNNY  pulls  forward  a  little  tea  table  beside 
his  chair.  Her  whole  manner  must  be 
one  of  slow,  dragging  carelessness,  like  the 
calm  before  a  storm.  Her  expression  must 
be  hard.  She  carries  the  telegram  still 


THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     155 

unopened,  and  on  lop  oj  it  the  theatre  tickets 
torn  into  pieces. 

[MAGGIE  brings  in  the  tray,  puts  it  on  the 
table,  and  goes  out  Right.  On  the  tray  are 
chops,  peas,  some  whiskey,  a  syphon,  a 
roll,  etc. 

AUSTIN.    [Sits  down  quickly  and  with  a  show 
oj  eagerness.]   Ah! 

[Begins  to  eat  as  if  he  were  hungry  and  enjoyed  it. 
[JINNY  sits  on  the  soja  at  his  Left,  and  looks 
at  him,  —  AUSTIN  is  of  course  conscious  oj 
JINNY'S  mood,  but  pretends  not  to  notice  it. 
AUSTIN.    [After  a  silence  during  which  he  eats.] 
I  say  I  am  hungry!     And  these   chops   are  very 
good,  aren't  they? 

[No  answer. 

I'll  tell  you  what  it  is,  Jinny !     Of  course   travel 
ling  is  great  sport  and  all  the  rest  of  it,  but  after 


156     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

all  one  does  get  tired  of  hotels,  and  to  quote  a 
somewhat  familiar  refrain,  "  There's  no  place  like 
home." 

[No  answer. 
Have  you  a  headache,  Jinny? 

JINNY.    [Very  short.]   No. 

AUSTIN.    That's  a  good  thing,  and  I  hope  you 
are  not  as  disappointed  as  I  am  about  the  theatre. 

JINNY.   [Hal/  laughs.]   Humph! 

AUSTIN.   I'll  celebrate  your  birthday  to-morrow 
and  take  you. 

JINNY.    [Quickly.]   Why  did  you  go  to  Brooklyn  ? 

AUSTIN.    On  the  private  business  of  some  one 
else. 

JINNY.    [With  all  her  nerves  tied  tight.]   That's 
the  best  answer  you  will  give  me? 

AUSTIN.   My  dear  girl,  it's  the  only  answer  I 
can  give  you. 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     157 

JINNY.  When  you  are  through  I  have  something 
for  you ! 

AUSTIN.   What? 

JINNY.  I'll  give  it  to  you  when  you  have 
finished. 

AUSTIN.  I'm  ready.  [He  rises.  JINNY  rises 
too,  and  gives  him  the  telegram  with  the  torn 
tickets  on  top,  and  then  rings  the  bell,  at  Right.] 
What  are  these  torn  papers? 

JINNY.   Our  theatre  tickets! 

[He  looks  at  her. 

AUSTIN.   And  when  did  this  telegram  come? 

JINNY.   This  afternoon. 

AUSTIN.    Why  didn't  I  get  it  when  I  came  in  ? 

JINNY.  [Bitingly.]  I  kept  it  to  have  the  pleas 
ure  of  giving  it  to  you  myself;  it's  from  Ruth 
Chester. 

AUSTIN.    How  do  you  know? 


158     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.    Oh,  I  haven't  opened  it !     But  I  know ! 
When  I  held  it  in  my  hand  it  burnt  my  fingers! 
[MAGGIE    enters    Right.]    Take  away    the  tray, 
please,  Maggie. 
MAGGIE.   Yes'm. 

[She  leaves  the  room  with  the  tray. 
[JiNNY  replaces  the  small  table  carelessly,  almost 

roughly. 
[AUSTIN  opens  and  reads   the  telegram;    there 

is  a  second's  pause. 
JINNY.   May  I  read  it? 

AUSTIN.  [After  a  moment's  hesitation.]  Yes,  if 
you  wish. 

[Not  handing  it  to  her. 
JINNY.   I  do! 

AUSTIN.  [Reaches  over  and  hands  her  the  telegram; 
he  speaks  quietly.]  When  you  behave  like  this  it's 
impossible  for  me  to  feel  the  same  toward  you. 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    159 

JINNY.  And  how  do  you  think  I  feel  when  I 
read  this? 

[Reads  it,  satirically,  bitterly. 
" Arrived  safely;  please  let  me  see  you  before  the 
day  goes.  Ruth."  "Ruth"  if  you  please! 

AUSTIN.  [Standing  over  JINNY.]  I  want  you 
to  be  careful  to-night.  I  want  you  to  control 
yourself.  I've  been  through  a  great  deal  to-day, 
and  if  you  make  me  angry  God  knows  what  I 
mightn't  say  and  do! 

JINNY.  And  I've  been  through  a  great  deal 
for  many  a  day  now,  and  I  want  the  truth  about 
this  at  last!  It's  all  very  well  for  you  to  spare 
her  by  not  telling  me  what  this  mysterious  trouble 
is  about  which  you've  been  hoodwinking  me  ever 
since  we  were  married,  but  now  you've  got  to 
choose  between  sparing  her  and  sparing  me! 

[She  sits  determinedly. 


160     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  Is  this  your  answer  to  me  when  I 
beg  you  to  be  very  careful  to-night  to  control 
yourself  ? 

JINNY.  It's  your  turn  to  be  careful!  What 
did  you  marry  me  for  if  you  were  in  love  with 
Ruth  ? 

AUSTIN.   Jinny! 

JINNY.  [A  little  frightened,  to  excuse  herself.] 
You  gave  me  your  word  of  honor  she  would  stay 
abroad  indefinitely. 

AUSTIN.  Nonsense!  I  said  I  understood  she 
was  going  to  stay  some  time  —  indefinitely. 

JINNY.  It's  the  same  thing,  and  here  she  is 
back  practically  the  moment  we  are! 

AUSTIN.  I  can't  control  Miss  Chester's  move 
ments  —  I  couldn't  foresee  when  she  would 
come  back.  In  Rome  she  told  me  she  would 
stay  on. 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES    161 

JINNY.  [Rising  and  facing  him.]  Ah!  that's 
what  I  wanted  to  see,  if  you  really  would  lie 
to  me! 

AUSTIN.   What  do  you  mean? 

JINNY.  [Beside  herself.]  Liar!  [He  only  looks 
at  her,  with  his  face  hard  and  set;  she  is  insane 
with  jealousy  for  the  moment.]  You  sent  for  Ruth 
to  come  back. 

AUSTIN.   And  if  I  did? 

JINNY.  You  tried  to  deceive  me  about  it.  And 
if  you'll  tell  me  a  lie  about  one  thing,  you'll  tell 
me  a  lie  about  another,  and  I  don't  believe  one 
word  of  all  your  explanations  about  the  intrigue 
between  you  and  Ruth  Chester! 

AUSTIN.    [Taking  her  two  hands.]   Sit  down ! 

[She  sits  in  the  arm-chair,  half  forced  by  him. 

JINNY.  Why  did  you  send  for  Ruth  Chester 
to  come  back? 

M 


162     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  I  have  told  you  before,  I  am  trying 
to  help  Miss  Chester. 

JINNY.   "Ruth!" 

AUSTIN.  I  am  trying  to  help  her  in  a  great  and 
serious  trouble. 

JINNY.  Why  did  you  send  for  her  to  come  back  ? 
What's  the  trouble? 

AUSTIN.   I've  told  you  before  I  can't  tell  you. 

JINNY.  You  daren't  tell  me,  and  you  haven't 
even  the  face  to  tell  another  lie  about  it ! 

AUSTIN.  If  you  say  another  word,  I  shall  hate 
you !  If  you  won't  control  yourself,  I  must  make 
you,  as  well  as  keep  my  own  sane  balance.  You 
have  insulted  my  love  for  you  to-night  as  you've 
never  done  before;  you've  struck  at  my  own  ideal 
of  you;  you've  almost  done,  in  a  word,  what  I 
warned  you  you  might  do  —  kill  the  love  I  have  for 
you ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     163 

JINNY.   [Frightened.]   Jack! 

AUSTIN.   I  mean  what  I  say! 

JINNY.  [In  tears.}  That  —  that  you— you  don't 
love  me? 

AUSTIN.  That  is  not  what  I  said,  but  I  tell  you 
now  that  since  I  first  began  to  care  for  you, 
never  have  I  loved  you  so  little  as  I  do 
to-night. 

JINNY.  [With  an  effort  at  angry  justification.] 
And  suppose  I  tell  you  it  is  your  own  fault,  because 
you  haven't  treated  me  — 

AUSTIN.  [Interrupting  her.]  Like  a  child,  in 
stead  of  a  woman! 

JINNY.  No,  because  you've  kept  part  of  your 
self  from  me,  and  that  part  you've  given  — 

AUSTIN.  For  God's  sake,  stop!  [A  pause  — 
JINNY  is  now  thoroughly  frightened;  slowly  she 
comes  to  her  senses.]  Do  you  want  a  rupture  for 


164     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

good  between  us?  [No  answer.]  Can't  you  see 
what  I  tell  you  is  true?  That  I  can't  bear  any 
more  to-night?  That  if  you  keep  on  you  will 
rob  me  of  every  bit  of  love  I  have  for  you,  just  as 
you've  already  robbed  me  of  the  woman  I  thought 
you  were? 

JINNY.  " Already!"  No,  no,  Jack,  don't  say 
that.  Oh,  what  have  I  done! 

[She  cries. 

AUSTIN.  You've  done  something  very  serious, 
and  before  you  do  more  —  [Speaking  hardly.]  —  I 
think  we'd  better  not  stay  in  this  evening;  it 
would  be  wiser  for  both  of  us  if  we  went  out 
somewhere. 

JINNY.  No,  I  couldn't  go  out  feeling  this  way ! 
I've  hurt  you,  hurt  you  terribly!  Oh,  why  do 
I  do  it?  Why  can't  I  help  myself? 

AUSTIN.   I     think     one     more    scene    to-night 


THE  -GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     165 

would  finish  things  for  us.  I  warn  you  of  that, 
Jinny  — 

[He  goes  to  the  desk  and  sits  at  it,  looking  blankly 
before  him.  She  comes  slowly,  almost  timidly, 
behind  his  chair. 

JINNY.  No,  don't  say  it !  don't  say  it !  Try  to 
forgive  me  —  oh,  Jack,  I  hate  myself,  and  I'm  so 
ashamed  of  myself!  I  know  I've  disappointed 
you  awfully,  awfully!  You  did  idealize  me;  I 
knew  it  when  you  married  me,  but  I  told  you  then 
I  wasn't  worth  your  loving  me,  didn't  I?  I  never 
pretended  to  be  worthy  of  you.  I  always  knew  I 
wasn't. 

AUSTIN.   Hush! 

JINNY.  It's  true!  it's  only  too  awfully  true. 
But  do  you  remember  how  you  answered  me 
then  when  I  told  you  I  wasn't  worth  your  loving 
me? 


1 66      THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.    [Coldly  and  without  looking  at  her.}   No. 

JINNY.  You  took  me  in  your  arms  and  held 
me  so  I  couldn't  have  got  away  if  I'd  wanted  to 
—  which  I  didn't  —  and  stopped  the  words  on 
my  lips  with  your  kisses.  [Pier  throat  fills.  He 
makes  no  reply.  She  goes  on  very  pathetically.] 
How  I  wish  you'd  answer  me  that  way  now ! 

AUSTIN.   Whose  fault  is  it? 

JINNY.  Oh,  mine  !  mine !  I  know  it.  You  don't 
know  it  one-half  so  well  as  I !  I  love  you  better 
than  anything  in  the  world,  love  everything  of 
you  —  the  turn  of  your  head,  the  blessed  touch  of 
your  hand,  the  smallest  word  that  comes  from 
your  dear  lips  —  the  thoughts  that  your  forehead 
hides,  but  which  my  heart  guesses  when  I'm  sane ! 
And  yet,  try  as  hard  as  I  can,  these  mad  fits  take 
hold  of  me,  and  although  I'd  willingly  die  to  save 
you  pain,  still  /,  7  myself,  hurt  and  wound  you 


THE   GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES    167 

past  all  bearing!  It  doesn't  make  any  difference 
that  7  suffer  too!  7  ought  to!  I  deserve  to  — 
you  don't!  Oh,  no!  I  know  I'm  a  disappoint 
ment  and  a  failure ! 

[Her  eyes  fill  up  with  tears  and  her  voice  breaks. 

AUSTIN.  [He  turns  to  her.]  No,  Jinny,  not  so 
bad  as  that,  only  I  thought  you  were  big  —  and 
you're  so  little,  oh,  so  small! 

JINNY.  Yes,  it's  true;  I'm  small  — I'm  small! 
Oh,  I'd  like  to  be  big,  too!  I  want  to  be  noble 
and  strong,  but  I'm  not  —  I'm  as  weak  as  water — 
only  it's  boiling  water !  I  want  to  be  Brunhilde, 
and  I'm  only  Frou  Frou !  Yes,  I'm  little;  but 
I  love  you  —  7  love  you  ! 

[She    sinks    on    to    a   stool    beside    him.     A 
moment's  pause. 

[With    a   trembling  voice. 
You  don't  mind  my  sitting  here? 


1 68     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  No  — 

[Very  quietly,  he  places  his  arm  about  her  neck, 
his  hand  on  her  shoulder.  She  quickly  steals 
up  her  hand  to  take  his,  and  leaning  her  head 
over  it,  kisses  his  hand.  He  draws  it  away 
and  kisses  her  hair. 

JINNY.   [Timidly,  very  softly.]   You  forgive  me? 
AUSTIN.   [With  a  long  sigh.]  Yes. 
JINNY.    [Bursting   into   tears    and   burying   her 
face  upon  his  knees.]   Thank  you  —  thank  you  — 
I  know  I  don't  deserve  it  —  I  don't  deserve  it  — 
I  don't  deserve  it! 
AUSTIN.   [Softly.]  Sh!- 

[JiNNY  half  turns  and  looks  up  at  him. 
JINNY.    [Very,    very   quietly.]   You    forgive    me 
—  but  still  —  yes,  I  see  it  in  your  face,  you  don't 
love  me  the  same.     You  look  so  tired,  dear. 
AUSTIN.   [Also  very  quietly.]   I  am,  Jinny. 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    169 

JINNY.   And  —  happy  ? 

AUSTIN.   I'm  not  quite  happy. 

JINNY.  I  wish  I  could  make  you  so — make  you 
love  me  the  old  way.  You  used  to  smile  a  little 
when  you  looked  at  me  —  Jack,  you  don't  any 
more.  But  I  mean  to  make  you  to-night,  if 
I  can,  and  to  make  you  love  me  as  much  as  ever 
you  did. 

AUSTIN.    Good  luck,  dear. 

JINNY.   [Brightening.]   What  time  is  it? 

AUSTIN.    [Looking  at  his  watch.]   Nearly  nine. 

JINNY.  I  suppose  it  is  too  late  for  me  to  dress 
and  for  us  to  go  to  the  theatre? 

AUSTIN.    Oh,  yes,  —  and  I'm  too  tired. 

JINNY.  [Triumphantly.]  Well,  then,  you  shall 
have  your  theatre  at  home !  If  Mahomet  won't 
go  to  the  mountain,  the  mountain  must  go  to  your 
lordship ! 


i;o     THE   GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.   I  don't  understand! 
JINNY.   Well,  just  wait  —  [She  blows  her  nose.] 
-  till  I   bathe  my  face  and   eyes  a  little ;   I   feel 
rather    bleary!    [Starting   to    go,    she   stops    and 
turns.]      Good-by? 

[Questioningly. 

AUSTIN.   [Quietly.]   Good-by. 
JINNY.    [Who  wanted  him  to  call  her  to  him  and 
kiss  her.]    Oh,  very  well!  but  I'll  make  you  smile 
yet  and  kiss  me  of  your  own  accord   to-night  — 
you'll  see! 

[She  goes  out  Left. 

[She  is  heard  singing  in  her  room.  AUSTIN  goes 
to  the  desk  and  a/ter  a  long  sigh  he  begins  to 
write.] 

AUSTIN.  [Writing.]  Dear  Ruth.  The  satisfaction 
of  the  visit  to  Brooklyn  prevents  me  from  being 
disappointed  at  having  missed  your  telegram  till 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     171 

too  late  to  go  to  your  house  to-night.  My  heart 
aches  for  the  blow  you  must  have  this  evening, 
but  please  God  you  will  bear  it  bravely.  The 
man  who  loves  you  is  not  bad,  but  he  has  been 
weak.  However,  I  feel  once  he  can  shake  off 
the  burden  of  his  present  marriage,  you  will  never 
have  cause  to  complain  of  him  again.  And  if 
your  future  happiness  lies  truly  in  his  hands,  it 
will  be  safe  there. 

JINNY.    [Calls  from  her  room.}   Are  you  ready? 

AUSTIN.   Yes. 

[He  stops  writing. 

JINNY.   In  your  orchestra  chair? 

AUSTIN.   Yes. 

JINNY.  What     will     you     have,     tragedy     or 
comedy  ? 

AUSTIN.   [Smiling.}  Shall  we  begin  with  tragedy  ? 

JINNY.   All  right. 


172     THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.  [Continues  to  write.}  So  far  I  have 
been  able  to  keep  Jinny  in  absolute  ignorance, 
but  I  fear  the  blow  must  fall  upon  her  soon,  and 
I  dread  to  think  of  what  she,  too,  will  suffer. 
Help  me  to  keep  it  from  her  as  long  as  we  can, 
won't  you? 

[ JINNY  comes  back;  she  has  changed  her  dress 
to  a  loose  negligee  gown,  with  a  red  turban 
on  her  head;  she  brings  two  sheets  with 
her. 

JINNY.  Excuse  me  one  minute  while  I  set  the 
stage !  [Moving  toward  each  other  the  big  arm 
chair  and  the  so/a,  she  covers  them  with  the  sheets. 
AUSTIN  turns  from  his  letter  on  the  desk,  to  watch.] 
Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  Act  Four !  [She  goes  out  only 
/or  a  moment,  and  re'enters,  wearing  a  man's  overcoat, 
with  a  pillow  tied  in  the  middle  with  a  silk  scarf, 
eyes,  nose,  and  mouth  made  on  it  with  a  burnt 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    173 

match.]  Eliza  crossing  the  ice!  Come,  honey 
darling!  [To  the  pillow.}  Mammy'll  save  you 
from  de  wicked  white  man!  [Jumping  up  on 
the  sofa,  and  moving  with  the  springs.]  You  ought 
to  do  the  bloodhounds  for  me,  Jack !  Excuse  me, 
but  you  look  the  part!  [AUSTIN  watches  her,  not 
unamused,  but  without  smiling.}  Hold  tight  to 
Lize,  honey,  and  don't  be  afeerd  o'  dat  big  black 
man  over  dah  —  dat's  Uncle  Tom.  [Crossing  to 
the  arm-chair.}  Don't  be  afeerd,  honey;  it's  Lize 
dat's  cuttin'  de  ice  this  time.  [She  throws  the 
pillow  away  and  drags  off  the  two  sheets.]  Oh,  I 
can  see  this  is  too  serious  for  you! 

[She  starts  singing  a  cakewalk  and  dances  across 
the  room  until  she  reaches  him,  where  she 
finishes. 

AUSTIN.  Very  good,  Jinny!  I'm  sure  we 
couldn't  have  seen  better  at  the  theatre. 


174     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  Ah  !  You're  getting  yourself  again  !  - 
Darling !  Come  !  —  Come  !  —  come  to  the  pianola 
and  you  shall  have  the  sextette!  It's  in  there 
ready;  I  heard  mother  struggling  with  it.  You 
don't  suppose  she  has  designs  upon  the  Casino, 
do  you  ?  Now  —  ready  ? 

[He  goes  to  the  pianola  and  starts  to  play  the 
sextette  from  "Florodora."  She  runs  to  the 
opposite  side  of  the  room  and  begins  to 
sing  and  dance,  crossing  to  AUSTIN  as  he 
plays. 

AUSTIN.    [After  a   few  moments.]   But   I   can't 
see  you  and  play  at  the  same  time;  I  don't  like  it ! 
JINNY.   [Delighted.]   You   want  to   see   me,   do 
you? 

AUSTIN.   Of  course  I  do! 
JINNY.    Jack!    [Delighted.]   Well,     then,     turn 
round ! 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES    175 

[JINNY,  hurrying  the  time  oj  the  song,  turns  it 
into  a  regular  skirt  dance.     She  dances   de 
lightfully  and  AUSTIN  cannot  resist  her  charm. 
His  face  lightens,  he  smiles,  and  love  comes 
into   his   eyes.     JINNY   sees   and  dances  and 
sings  all  the  better  till  she  reaches  him. 
AUSTIN.   [Rising,  he  takes  her  into  his  arms.] 
You  adorable  Jinny! 

JINNY.   Ah,  Jack!    You're  smiling  again  and 
—  you  love  me! 

[Clasping  her  arms  about  his  neck. 
AUSTIN.   Yes!    Is  the  theatre  finished? 
JINNY.    No,    only   the   first   act.    [He  sits   in 
the    big    arm-chair ,    JINNY    on    his    knee.]     I'm 
tired!    [He  kisses  her.     There  is  a  pause.     There 
is  a  knock  on  the  door  at  Right.]     Oh,  hang  it! 
[Knock  repeated.]    Don't  answer  it!     We  haven't 
half  made  up  yet! 


176     THE   GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

AUSTIN.    But  we  must  answer  it,  dear. 

JINNY.  [As  she  rises  unwillingly.]  I  don't 
see  why  —  I  should  have  let  her  knock  till  she 
went  away. 

AUSTIN.   Come  in! 

[MAGGIE  enters  with  a  letter. 

JINNY.   What  is  it,  Maggie? 

MAGGIE.  A  note  from  Miss  Chester,  m'm,  and 
she's  downstairs  herself  waiting  for  an  answer. 

JINNY.   For  me? 

[Taking  the  letter. 

MAGGIE.  No,  m'm;  I  think  she  said  it  was  for 
Mr.  Austin. 

JINNY.  Oh  I  —  You  may  wait  outside  for  the 
answer,  Maggie. 

MAGGIE.  Yes,  m'm. 

[She  goes  out. 

JINNY.   [Slowly  goes  to  AUSTIN  and  gives  him 


THE   GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    177 

the  letter,  lightly.]  I  see  now  why  you  were  so 
anxious  to  let  Maggie  in.  Perhaps  you  were 
expecting  this. 

AUSTIN.  Jinny!  [Holding  her  by  the  hand  and 
trying  to  pull  her  over  to  him.]  Come,  I'll  give 
you  a  kiss  for  the  letter. 

JINNY.   No,   thank   you,   I   don't   want   kisses 
that  are  given  by  you  for  letters  from  Ruth  Chester. 
Yes!  do  kiss  me!    [He  kisses  her.]    I  won't  be 
jealous!     I  won't  be!  [Clinching  her  teeth.]   See, 
I'm  not  jealous  a  bit !     Read  your  old  letter ! 
[AUSTIN  opens  the  note  and  reads  it.    As  he 
does  so  JINNY  has  passed  on  to  the  desk  and 
sees   AUSTIN'S    unfinished    letter   to     RUTH, 
which  after  a  little  hesitation  she  picks  up  and 
reads.     AUSTIN,   having    read    RUTH'S    note, 
looks  up  thoughtfully  a  second,  and  then  re 
reads   it.     JINNY   is   furious   over   what   she 

N 


178     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

reads.     As  she  finishes  she  gives  a  little  cry 
from  the  very  depths  o]  her  heart. 
JINNY.    Oh,  Jack! 
AUSTIN.   What  is  it? 
JINNY.   Nothing! 

[She  sinks  by  the  desk,  crushing  the  letter  in  her 
hand.     She  looks  over  at  him,  and  then  down 
at  the  letter,  and  then  back  at  him. 
AUSTIN.   Maggie ! 

JINNY.  [Rising  suddenly.  She  speaks  with  a 
voice  trembling  with  only  half -contained  emotion 
and  passion.]  I  told  her  to  wait  in  the  hall; 
may  I  read  it? 

[Holding  out  her  hand  /or  the  letter. 
AUSTIN.   Now    look    here,    Jinny,  —  I    always 
let  you  read  everything,  don't  I? 

JINNY.  [Hiding  his  letter  behind  her  back.] 
Yes.  [Holding  out  her  other  hand.]  Give  it  to  me ! 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     179 

AUSTIN.  Now  begin  to  show  that  you  really 
1  are  going  to  turn  over  a  new  leaf,  and  that  your 
love  is  going  to  have  perfect  confidence,  and 
don't  ask  to  see  this  letter. 

JINNY.    But  I  do  ask  to  see  it! 

AUSTIN.    Then  this  time  I  must  refuse  you ! 

JINNY.  What!  is  it  even  more  compromising 
than  your  letter  to  her? 

AUSTIN.  What  letter?  [Looking  first  on  the 
desk,  he  looks  across  at  her  and  sees  it  in  her 
hand.  He  is  angry,  but  also  frightened  for  fear 
it  has  told  her  her  brother's  secret.]  And  you've 
read  it? 

JINNY.  It  lay  open  on  the  desk  there,  and  any 
way  the  end  justifies  me ! 

AUSTIN.  [In  an  agony.]  What  does  it  tell  you? 
I  forget  what  I  wrote! 

JINNY.   It  tells  me  that  my  jealousy  all  along 


i So     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

has  been  right,  that  I've  been  a  fool  to  let  you 
blind  me! 

AUSTIN.  [With  a  great  sigh  of  relief.]  Is 
that  all? 

JINNY.  [Beside  herself.]  "Is  that  all!"  Isn't 
that  enough?  Dear  God,  isn't  that  enough? 
That  there's  an  understanding  between  you  and 
Ruth  to  get  rid  of  me! 

AUSTIN.  If  it  tells  you  that,  the  letter  lies! 
Give  it  to  me ! 

JINNY.  No !  /'//  read  it  to  you !  [Reads  with 
bitter  emphasis.]  "The  satisfaction  of  the  visit 
to  Brooklyn  prevents  me  from  being  disap 
pointed  at  having  missed  your  telegram  till  too 
late  to  go  to  your  house  to-night ! "  So  —  you 
and  she  went  to  Brooklyn,  did  you,  and  that's 
why  you  came  back  too  late  to  go  to  the  theatre 
with  me?  You  cheat!  [She  screams  in  her  mad- 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES    181 

ness.     A  pause.]    Why   don't   you   answer — why 
don't  you  say  something? 

AUSTIN.  Because  if  I  speak  as  I  feel,  I'm  afraid 
of  saying  something  I'll  regret  all  my  life! 

JINNY.   You  don't  deny,  then? 

AUSTIN.  Yes!  that  is  due  to  Ruth.  Whatever 
you  may  feel  about  me,  you  have  no  right  to  insult 
her! 

JINNY.    Oh,  there's  more  to  the  letter! 

AUSTIN.  Jinny,  don't  you  see  what  you're 
doing  ? 

JINNY.  Yes,  I'm  getting  at  the  truth  at  last! 
[Reads.]  "My  heart  aches  for  the  blow  you 
must  have  this  evening!  The  man  who  loves 
you  —  " 

AUSTIN.  You  shan't  read  any  more;  you're 
mad  now! 

[Tearing  the  letter  away  from  her. 


1 82     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

JINNY.  I  don't  need  the  letter,  the  words  are 
burning  in  here!  [Pressing  her  hands  to  her 
forehead.]  "The  man  who  loves  you  isn't  bad,  only 
weak.  However,  I  feel  once  we  can  shake  off  the 
burden  of  this  present  marriage"  —oh!  you — you 
brute  to  say  that!  —  "you  will  never  have  cause 
to  complain  of  him  again !  So  far  I  have  been 
able  to  keep  Jinny  in  perfect  ignorance,  but  I 
feel  the  blow  must  fall  upon  her  now  — 

[Interrupted. 

AUSTIN.   Shall  I  tell  you  the  truth? 

JINNY.  You  don't  have  to;  I've  found  it  out 
for  myself! 

AUSTIN.  [In  weariness,  in  disgust,  in  titter  hope 
lessness.]  No!  what's  the  use.  You've  done  it 
now  —  let  it  go  !  Let  it  all  go  —  the  whole  thing ! 
What's  the  use  !  —  it's  finished  !  —  [A  knock  on 
the  door  at  Right.]  Come  in ! 


THE    GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     183 

[Maggie  enters  and  doses  the  door  behind  her. 
MAGGIE.    Please,   sir,   Miss   Chester  came   up 
stairs  and  made  me  knock  again  to  see  if  there 
was  an  answer  and  if  you  will  see  her  now  or 
not. 

JINNY.    [Suddenly  —  aflame  with  her  idea.]   Yes! 
Maggie,  show  her  in ! 

AUSTIN.   No,  no!    What  do  you  want  to  do! 
I'll  see  Miss  Chester  to-morrow,  Maggie. 

[JiNNY  has  crossed  to  the  door,  Right. 
JINNY.   Ruth!  Ruth! 
RUTH.    [Off  stage.]   Yes?     May  I  come? 
JINNY.   Do  come  in ! 
[She  recrosses  room;  she  and  AUSTIN  lace  each 

other  for  a  second. 

AUSTIN.   [In  a  lowered  -voice.]   For  God's  sake, 
be  careful ! 

[RUTH  enters  Right. 


1 84     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

RUTH.    Jinny ! 

[Going  to  her  quickly  to  embrace  her. 
[JiNNY,  without  speaking,  draws  away  and  stares 
at  her  with  a  look  of  hatred.  RUTH,  seeing  it, 
stops  short,  and  looks  from  JINNY  to  AUSTIN 
for  explanation  —  she  turns  to  AUSTIN  and 
gives  him  her  hand,  which  he  takes,  presses, 
and  drops;  JINNY'S  shoulders  contract  at  this 
moment;  RUTH  immediately  turns  again  to 
JINNY. 

RUTH.   What  is  it,  Jinny  ?   [To  AUSTIN.]   Surely 
she  doesn't  blame  me  in  any  way. 
JINNY.   Blame  you! 
AUSTIN.    She  doesn't  know. 
JINNY.   That's     a     lie!     I     know    everything, 
Ruth !     I  know  why  you  followed  my  husband  to 
Rome,  and  why  he  sent  for  you  to  come  back 
here.     I  know  that  you  and  he  were  in  Brooklyn 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES     185 

this  afternoon,  and  that  you  only  plan  to  get  rid 
of  me  by  some  divorce,  and  by  hook  or  crook 
to  marry  each  other! 

RUTH.   No !  —  No !  — 

JINNY.  Oh,  you  can  lie,  too,  can  you  ?  I  won't 
keep  you  waiting  long !  You've  stolen  my  hus 
band  from  me  —  take  him.  I  won't  share  him  with 
any  woman !  He's  yours  now,  and  I'll  soon  be 
out  of  your  way! 

AUSTIN.  Jinny! 

RUTH.  [To  Austin.]  She  must  be  told  the 
truth. 

[AUSTIN  bows  his  head. 

JINNY.  Now  you'll  make  up  your  story,  will 
you?  I  tell  you  it's  useless.  If  he  wouldn't  let 
me  see  your  compromising  letter,  I've  seen  a  letter 
from  him  to  you  to-night  that  gives  the  whole 
thing  away. 


i86     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES 

RUTH.  [Very  quietly.]  Your  husband  went  to 
Brooklyn  without  me,  as  your  brother  will  tell 
you,  to  see  the  clergyman  who  married  me,  or 
thought  he  married  me  to  Geoffrey  Tillman  three 
months  ago !  [JINNY  looks  up  with  a  start.]  That 
marriage  was  illegal  because  your  brother  was 
already  married,  and  Mr.  Austin  tried  and  did 
get  the  promise  of  silence  this  afternoon  about 
the  Brooklyn  service,  to  prevent  a  charge  of  bigamy 
against  your  brother.  The  first  marriage,  which 
still  holds  good,  was  with  —  Maggie,  your  present 
servant  — 

[JINNY  stands  immovable.     There  is  a  silence. 

AUSTIN.    Geoffrey  is  not  at  your  house? 

RUTH.  No,  he  left  when  I  came  on  here.  As  I 
wrote  you  in  the  note  I  sent  upstairs,  I  was  too 
stunned  by  what  he  told  me  to  answer  then,  and 
I  wanted  a  word  of  advice  with  you.  '[She  turns 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    187 

to  JINNY.]  /  knew  what  I  thought  was  my  mar 
riage  to  your  brother  must  be  kept  secret,  but  I 
could  not  learn  why.  This  was  my  trouble,  which, 
after  your  marriage,  I  selfishly  laid  on  your  hus 
band's  shoulders,  thinking  he  might  help  me ! 
[No  answer  from  JINNY,  who  stands  as  if  struck 
dumb  and  into  stone.]  Mr.  Austin  only  learned 
the  whole  truth  when  we  met  that  day  in  Rome. 
I  did  not  learn  till  to-day  that  I  was  not  honestly 
your  brother's  wife.  I  had  to  be  told,  because 
divorce  proceedings  are  to  be  started  at  once  to 
break  —  the  other  —  marriage.  [No  answer  from 
JINNY.]  To  spare  me,  and  above  all  to  spare  you 
the  knowledge  of  your  brother's  sin,  your  husband 
has  kept  Geoffrey's  secret  from  you.  You  have 
well  repaid  him !  [She  turns  again  to  AUSTIN.] 
Good-by  —  I  feel  to-night  I  couldn't  marry 
Geoffrey  again.  He's  tumbled  so  far  off  his 


1 88     THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

pedestal  he  has  fallen  out  of  my  heart.  But 
still  —  we'll  see;  I've  told  him  to  come  to-morrow. 
Thank  you  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  —  it's 
full  of  gratitude,  even  if  it  is  broken! 

[She  goes  out  Right. 
[JiNNY  slowly  turns,   almost  afraid   to   look   at 

AUSTIN.     He  stands  stern,  with  set  face. 
JINNY.    [In  a  low  voice,  ashamed  to  go  near  him.} 
Can  you  forgive  me?     Can  you  — 
AUSTIN.   Ugh! 

[Crossing  room  for  his  coat. 
JINNY.   I'm   mad !    You   know   I   don't   know 
what  I  do.     But  I  love  you  —  I  love  you  !     For 
give  me ! 
AUSTIN.   Never ! 

[Taking  up  his  coat. 
JINNY.   Where  are  you  going? 
AUSTIN.    Out  of  this  house. 


THE    GIRL    WITH  THE   GREEN  EYES    189 

JINNY.   If  you  leave  me,  I'll  not  bear  it!     I'll 
kill  myself !     I  warn  you  ! 
AUSTIN.   Bah !  —  Good-by ! 

[Going  to  the  door  Right. 
JINNY.   No!    Where  are  you  going? 
AUSTIN.    Out  of  this  house  for  good! 

[At  the  door  he  turns  and  looks  at  her. 
JINNY.   [Echoes.]   For  good? 
AUSTIN.   For  good! 

[He  goes  out,  slamming  the  door  behind  him. 
[JiNNY  stands  a  moment  motionless.  She  then 
cries  faintly  —  "Jack!"  She  goes  to  the  door 
and  pushes  it  open,  crying  out  again  in 
loud,  strong  despair,  "Jack!"  There  is  a 
moment's  pause.  She  cries  out  again  weakly, 
heartbrokenly,  "Jack!"  —  comes  back  into 
the  room,  and  throwing  herself  down  on  the 
floor,  her  head  resting  on  her  arms  in  the 


.190     THE    GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

arm-chair,  she  sobs  hysterically,  wildly, 
11  What  have  /  done  I  Dear  God,  what  have 
I  done!"  as 


THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


ACT  IV 

SCENE    I 

Dawn  of  the  next  day.  At  the  rise  of  the  curtain 
JINNY  is  by  the  open  window^  whose  curtains 
she  has  thrown  aside.  The  sky  is  blood-red 
and  streaked  with  gold  the  moment  before  sun 
rise.  JINNY  is  worn  and  haggard,  with  hair 
dishevelled. 

JINNY.  [Turning  and  leaning  against  the  win 
dow.]  Day  at  last !  What  a  night  —  what  a 
night  —  but  now  it's  morning  and  he  hasn't  come 
back!  He  means  it!  And  it's  my  own  fault  — 
it's  my  own  fault!  [She  shivers.  She  closes  the 
window  and  comes  away.  After  a  moment's  pause 
she  goes  deliberately  and  looks  at  the  several  gas 
191 


192     THE   GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

fixtures  in  the  room.  She  then  closes  all  the  doors 
and  locks  them.  She  carefully  draws  down  the 
shade  and  closes  in  the  curtains  oj  the  window. 
She  hesitates,  then  pulls  aside  the  curtains  and 
the  shade,  and  takes  a  long,  last  look  at  the  dawn. 
She  closes  it  all  in  again.  She  gets  Austin's 
picture  from  the  desk  and  places  it  on  the  table 
near  the  centre  oj  the  room.  She  then  goes  to 
the  gas  bracket  at  the  Right  and  turns  on  the 
gas.  She  lights  it  to  see  ij  the  gas  is  all  right; 
then  blows  it  out.  She  then  crosses  to  the  other 
bracket  and  turns  that  on;  she  goes  to  the  chan 
delier  at  centre,  and,  mounting  a  chair,  turns  on 
its  three  jets.  She  then  sits  down  by  the  table 
with  AUSTIN'S  picture  before  her,  and  looking  into 
its  eyes,  her  elbows  on  the  table,  her  head  in  her 
hands,  she  waits.]  Oh,  Jack,  my  beloved  !  I  couldn't 
help  it  —  I  never  for  one  minute  stopped  loving 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     193 

you  better  than  everything  else  in  my  life,  but  no 
more  than  I  could  stop  loving  you  could  I  stop  or 
help  being  jealous !  Once  the  cruel  idea  has  got 
hold  of  me  it  seems  to  have  to  work  its  way  out! 
Everything  gets  red  before  me  and  I  don't  seem 
to  know  what  I  say  or  do !  It's  no  excuse,  I  know. 
I've  got  no  excuse,  only  I  love  you!  You'll  for 
give  me  when  I'm  gone,  won't  you,  Jack  ?  You'll 
know  I  loved  you !  —  loved  you  so  I  couldn't  live 
without  you !  —  loved  you !  —  loved  you !  [She 
kisses  the  photograph  tenderly,  adoringly,  slowly, 
in  tears.}  Loved  —  you  —  loved  you !  —  loved  — 
[Her  head  drops  forward  as 

THE   CURTAIN   FALLS 


194     THE   GIRL   WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

SCENE  II 

The  same  morning,  three  hours  later.  The  curtain 
rises  on  the  same  scene  in  a  dull,  cold,  early 
morning  light.  The  lamp  has  burnt  itselj  out. 
A  tiny  ray  of  sunlight  steals  through  a 
slip  between  the  curtains.  JINNY  sits  by  the 
table,  her  arms  spread  over  it  and  her  head  on 
her  arms  —  she  is  perfectly  still.  AUSTIN'S 
picture  is  before  her.  There  is  a  moment's 
silence.  Voices  are  heard  outside,  approaching 
door,  at  Right.  Gradually  what  they  say  is 
distinguished. 
MAGGIE.  No,  sir.  She  hasn't  been  to  bed;  I've 

been  to  her  bedroom  —  that  door's  not  unlocked. 
TILLMAN.    She's  been  here  all  night? 
MAGGIE.   Yes,  sir.     But  twice  in  the  night,  sir, 

I  came  to   the   door  and  spoke  to  her  and  she 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES    195 

wouldn't  answer  me  —  but  I  could  hear  her  walk 
ing  up  and  down  and  sometimes  talking  to  herself. 

TILLMAN.  [Calls softly.]  Jinny!  [Knocks softly.] 
It's  father!  [No  answer.]  It  looks  as  if  she  were 
asleep  now. 

AUSTIN.   [At  a  little  distance.]   Father! 

TILLMAN.   I'm  outside  the  library  door. 

AUSTIN.  [Nearer.]  I  can't  wait — have  you  seen 
her?  Will  she  see  me? 

TILLMAN.  She's  locked  herself  in  here.  She's 
not  been  to  her  own  room. 

AUSTIN.  Not  been  to  bed  at  all !  Poor  Jinny  — 
God  forgive  me. 

TILLMAN.  Maggie  says  she's  walked  the  floor 
all  night. 

[He  knocks  on  the  door  Right. 

AUSTIN.  [Outside  the  door,  Right,  rather  softly.] 
Jinny !  I'm  so  sorry !  I  can't  say  how  sorry ! 


196     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES 

I've  thought  it  out  through  the  night,  and  I  think 
I  understand  things  better.  [He  waits  a  moment 
for  an  answer.]  Jinny,  answer  me !  you  shall  be 
as  jealous  as  you  like,  and  I'll  always  explain  and 
kiss  away  those  doubts  of  yours,  and  I'll  have  no 
more  secrets  from  you,  dear.  Not  one !  Jinny !  [As 
he  calls  there  is  a  slight  movement  of  one  of  JINNY'S 
arms.  With  a  note  of  alarm.]  Father !  I  can't  hear 
a  sound  of  breathing !  [.4  moment's  pause  as  they 
listen.]  She  threatened  it  —  she  threatened  it 
several  times !  [With  great  determination.]  We 
must  get  into  this  room  —  do  you  hear  me  —  we 
must  get  in  if  we  have  to  break  the  door  down ! 
[They  shake  the  door.  He  calls  a  little  louder.] 
Jinny,  Jinny  darling  —  do  you  hear  me  ?  [ JINNY 
makes  a  sort  of  feeble  effort  to  lift  her  head,bnt  fails.] 
Jinny,  for  God's  sake,  answer  me !  I  love  you 
Jinny  —  Jinny!  [Very  slowly  JINNY  lifts  her 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE   GREEN  EYES    197 

head,  and,  with  difficulty,  she  hears  as  if  in  a 
dream;  she  is  dazed,  barely  alive.]  She  doesn't 
answer ! 

TILLMAN.   See  if  the  key  is  in  the  lock. 
AUSTIN.   No. 

TILLMAN.   Get  the  other  keys,  Maggie. 
AUSTIN.    Father/    Gas!     Don't  you  smell  it? 
TILLMAN.   What! 

AUSTIN.   Gas,  I  tell  you  !     O  God !  she's  killed 
herself!     Jinny!  Jinny! 

[Beating  the  door. 

[ JINNY  staggers  up,  she  tries  to  call  "Jack" 
—  but  the  word  only  comes  out  in  a  half- 
articulate  whisper!  She  tries  again,  but 
fails. 

MAGGIE.   Here's  a  key,  sir. 
[ JINNY  tries  to  go  to  the  door;  she  staggers  a  few 
steps  and  then  falls. 


1 98     THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEK  EYES 

[They    try   one    key  —  it   does    not   unlock   the 

door;   they   try   another. 

[ JINNY  half  raises  herself  and  makes  an  effort 
to  crawl,  but  is  unable  and  sinks  back  upon 
the  floor. 

AUSTIN.  Break  the  door  in,  father !  We  daren't 
waste  any  more  time! 

TILLMAN.    No,  this  has  done  it! 
[They  open  the  door  and  rush  in.     They  stop 
aghast   at    JINNY   and  the   oppressiveness   of 
the  gas  in  the  room. 
TILLMAN.    Jinny! 

AUSTIN.  Quick  — the  window!  [TILLMAN  tears 
aside  the  curtains  and  throws  open  the  window. 
The  sunshine  of  full  morning  pours  in.  He  then 
rushes  to  the  opposite  gas  burners  and  turns  them 
off.  Kneeling  quickly  beside  her.]  Jinny!  My 
wife!  My  beloved! 


THE    GIRL    WITH   THE    GREEN  EYES     199 

[He  takes  her  up  in  his  arms  and  hurries  to  the 
window. 

TILLMAN.   Are  we  too  late? 

AUSTIN.  I  don't  know.  No!  she's  breathing 
—  and  see  —  see !  —  she  knows  me  !  —  she  knows 
me !  [ JINNY  smiles  at  him  pathetically.]  Send 
Maggie  for  the  doctor! 

[TILLMAN  goes  out  Right. 

AUSTIN.  Jinny,  forgive  me!  Forgive  me! 
Forgive  me!  [She  slips  her  two  arms  up  and 
joins  them  about  his  neck.  AUSTIN  kisses  her.} 
Father !  We've  saved  her !  Oh,  thank  God,  we've 
saved  her! 

[Bringing  her  to  big  chair  and  putting  her  in  it, 
he  kneels  at  her  jeet. 

JINNY.  [Whispers  faintly.]  Dear  Jack!  You 
forgive  me — all  my  beastly  jealousy? 

AUSTIN.   There's  one  thing  stronger  even  than 


200     THE   GIRL    WITH  THE    GREEN  EYES 

jealousy,  my  Jinny.     And    that's    LOVE!     That's 
LOVE! 

[He  kisses  her  hands,  and 

THE  CURTAIN   FALLS 


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